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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.

Comments11 - 20 of 1418

Talk about integrity. I'm sick of these MPs saying we went by the rules (however good or bad they are) yet they seemed to have had no integrity or honour in knowing what was right and wrong. If a member of the public ever tried to claim something from anyone to which they were not rightly due they would be prosecuted. So should the MPs whether it was a £16K mortgage interest or a 60p can of dog food - it's still theft and/or fraud. What the British public should do now is say to our elected representatives (laughable I know) is that we won't be voting for any of them found to be lacking in integrity or honesty in connection with this latest fiasco. Dissolve parliament, sack and then prosecute the perpetrators, and lets start with a clean sheet.

From hone777 on Fri May 15 05:09PM
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Agreed... this is democracy in action.No point in having a voting populace if we are expected to do nothing about the immoral behaviour of those we elect to represent us.Lets have their expenses for the past couple of years attached to the voting papers at the next round of elections.

From castaines on Fri May 15 05:11PM
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the trouble here is we all know they've all been doing it for years.any mp with a majority seat probably thinks its a perk of the job,you notice the longer they've been in politics the worse they get....

From joshualovesfootball on Fri May 15 05:12PM
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Absolutely agree with this article. How dare an MP suggest that investigations into his expenses signify the end of democracy. Evidently MPs need to be watched closely - CCTV, ID cards and DNA databases should apply to them, not us. The only reason they are in their privileged positions is because we the people chose them to be, and they've betrayed us. Be afraid, honourable members, be very afraid.

From philsarahbu on Fri May 15 05:13PM
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silver_canary1 - you are one very sick person and a ranting racist. It's people like you we don't need in out country.

From hone777 on Fri May 15 05:14PM
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in plain language they are thieves and should be taken to court as any average man would be but once again one rule for them and another for us, they are only thinking of themselves when they try to get elected, why do all the parasites and social misfits want to be MP's ?

From dragonven2002 on Fri May 15 05:15PM
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margaret beckett must be one of the most unpopular m.p.s.her smug attitude and aggorance was all to cleas to be seen on the jonathan dimberley show.claiming for bottles
of what next.cal

From mcctmcdermott on Fri May 15 05:16PM
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I hate to say it, but if they are claiming for allowable expences then that is the end of it. Perhaps the great british public should pay closer attention to things instead of getting carried away because it has been going on for so long. Remember the MP's may claim the money but somebody has to pass that claim before they get the money!
You get what you deserve and you have voted for what you have got so get over it and move on. Oh and please don't let then get the auditors in at 600k a year., just put downthe rules to follow and if they don't, discipline them accordingly. Just like you would in the real world of business, you know the world that pays for all the leaches in the country!!!!

From firstukonline on Fri May 15 05:16PM
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what woprries me is that your'e average local councillor seems to have the same attitude when its other people's money.

From joshualovesfootball on Fri May 15 05:17PM
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Malik even tried the race issue by saying that he was "targetted" - Listen up Malik ALL M.P.s should be targetted, you and a host of others will hopefully be removed from Parliament and you can revert to being one of us poorer souls. Your actions were deplorable and you knowingly abused the falliable system.

From frankgaffney on Fri May 15 05:17PM
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