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They just don’t get it do they?

Fri May 15 04:49PM

Shahid Malik went on the offensive today prior to stepping down as Justice Minister, calling for an end to this "bloodfest". Presumably, judging by his bitter tone, he was pushed or at least told to jump.

"This bloodfest has got to stop...otherwise we will have no democracy left," he said. My views on the matter are quite the opposite. To me this is democracy in perfect working order. You, an MP, are alleged to have acted not in the best interests of the people for whom you are representing, the people have demanded action and as a result you have had to step down. What's undemocratic about that?

Perhaps you would like a "democracy" similar to Zimbabwe where you all live in palaces with your moats (don't worry, we'll pay for them to be cleaned) and we need a wheelbarrow full of notes to buy a loaf of bread?

Malik went on to say that he stuck "a million per cent by the rules". Technically that percentage doesn't actually exist but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was saying he's done nothing wrong, or at least so say "the rules".

But that's irrelevant. We've heard MPs drag out the same tired old excuses this week, that it's the system's fault, that they inherited this culture, that they are being victimised.

They just don't get it do they? Whether the rules say they are right or wrong does not matter. What some of these MPs have been doing is morally wrong. It's no wonder we don't trust the government any longer if they can't make that distinction.

The position of an MP should be a brilliant privilege; they should be representing the country, driving us forward in the face of financial adversity. But what are some of them doing? They're actively taking money from us, as if we're their cash cow.

Well now they've been found out and they're scrambling big time. MPs are reacting two ways; there's the Ming Campbell way and the Margaret Beckett way.

The ‘Mings' are holding their hands up, paying the money back and removing themselves from the limelight quickly and quietly. If nothing else it's the sensible thing to do.

The Becketts, which is the category Shahid Malik falls into, are coming out fighting, saying they've done nothing wrong and not paying the money back unless ordered. Guaranteed these people will be the ones facing the brunt of the media's disapproval over coming weeks. This is most definitely the wrong side to be on.

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How much bad news has the Government buried in obscure press releases while this is all going on?

From luludoodie on Fri May 15 04:59PM
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I couldn't agree more. These MP's are trying to hide behind the rules when in actual fact they are supposed to be moral upright citizens and even if the rules say they can make outragous claims they should have had the decency to recognise that it was wrong and then have been fighting for change in Paliament not milking the gravy train.

From deniseridall on Fri May 15 04:59PM
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This article hits the nail on the head, these smug MP's just do not get it, they have no understanding of the fury across the nation at their greedy antics. It isn't just the money they have effectively stolen from us (even under the rules) they seem to think it's their God given right to rob us blind whilst taxing us to death

From avpix on Fri May 15 05:01PM
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Yeeha! - Listen to them squeal!
"Expenses cheats- we are closing in on you!"

From garenacreman on Fri May 15 05:04PM
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Your article sums up our feelings exactly. I am becoming angrier by the day, not content with giving the country away to all and sundry, they continue to rob us blind themselves, I see no difference between these politicians and the fat cats in the city that they were condemning recently. UKIP or BNP for me next time around.

From maureen919 on Fri May 15 05:05PM
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There should be some sort of official investigation into this debacle. If we make a "mistake" with our self-assessed taxes (read "claimed expenses", the Inland Revenue come down on us like a ton of bricks, make us pay the money back AND slap us with a fine or even jail time. Why should MPs be any different?

From nikkyhoughton on Fri May 15 05:07PM
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If someone said you can claim for that and this and that you would wouldn't you. So who is the guy that said you can claim and misled all these poor unfortunate rich people to make these claims. And caused them to fall into the path of temptation. I mean why have a Tv when you can have a cinema system why have a fence when you can have a moat and why pay your mortgage if you dont have one and why not claim for two mortgages if you can do. And how come you can afford to pay it back if you got it wrong in the first place. cheating thats how.

From topman1949 on Fri May 15 05:07PM
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They were in effect given a "bottomless pit" and they abused it. MP's should have their home in their constituency then receive an overnight allowance to cover reasonable bed, breakfast and dinner costs for each day they are sitting in Westminster. Judging by the number of them missing some days they don't all spend every day there. They shouldn't have second homes unless they pay for them themselves. Many people have to travel around the country to do their work and just get overnight expenses - MP's shouldn't be any different.They took the job - many of them it appears took the job knowing how well they could live on all these allowance. How wonderful to be able to receive your salary and not have to pay out of it for your food, your gardener, your cleaner, your furniture, your luxury goods etc etc.

From marionandbarrymadden on Fri May 15 05:08PM
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It says it all for me and not before time.Lots of MPs at it but we will wait a long time before the police are involved. One law for them another for us.

From dastuart.t21 on Fri May 15 05:08PM
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if this was ordinary joe soap in the streets it would be called fraud and the people concerned would be pilloried and labeled scroungers and cheats,no wonder people don't bother to vote .

From katielouise2098 on Fri May 15 05:09PM
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