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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.

Comments21 - 30 of 1418

I agree with this article also - they can not understand what all the fuss is about. Their own rules are quite clear about how they should judge what is an acceptable expense but they do not have the required standard of morals for them to make the correct judgement. The problem of expenses is however nothing new and we have known about (or at least suspected) the abuse of the rules has been going on for years. The fact that it has been going on for years does not make it right nor fair and it is now the time for them to stand up and be counted. Paying back what they should never have claimed in the first place is a step in the right direction and is better than trying to defend the indefensible but I do not feel it goes far enough.

From r4nd4n on Fri May 15 05:22PM
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It's all very well for MPs to say that they were complying with "the rules". But who made these rules in the first place? They did!

From nancybostonuk on Fri May 15 05:23PM
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I have said for a long time that this system is rotten - this just proves it.
why don't we raise a parliametry petition to make them aware of our anger.
The sooner we are a republic the better!

From suddickexocet on Fri May 15 05:23PM
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This are the people voted to represent the people and it's rather unfortunate that some of them can feed 5 poor families for 2 weeks based on what they earn representing the same people and my quetion is why then steal from the tax payers some of who are finding it hard to put food on their table. If you are on Benefit and apply for a crisis loan you still have to pay back with interest so i suggest this shameless,opportunist pay back every penny with interest too.

From imaginationplus27 on Fri May 15 05:23PM
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usual excuses from the corrupt bretheren, no me, I only came here to improve my prospects, I`m only being picked on because I`m ***** , guess the words, they are written by the so called Human Rights Act,to allow for even more compensation from the British public`s taxes, more corruption and back handers, inside westminster and out.cyclops jimmy

From michaeljmills on Fri May 15 05:28PM
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on my job i often have to work away from home for weeks at a time,all i get from my company is £20 a day for food that's more than enough for food and a few beers.

From joshualovesfootball on Fri May 15 05:29PM
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OH YES I BELIEVE THEY ARE SORRY, YES SORRY THEY WERE FOUND OUT.

From annarch.mckee on Fri May 15 05:30PM
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What we must not forget are these are the same people who, a few months ago, wanted to vote to exempt themselves from the Freedom of Information Act in order that we couldn't find out about their robbing, cheating and lying.

From captainflack2 on Fri May 15 05:31PM
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There are so many loopholes to climb through no wonder they take advantage, and as they are all well trained to do these tricks, "Well what can we expect"
Must say they all disapoint me.
However this is the world today, How about we pack them all of to The Far East to fight the war, it wont last long then, as they will all talk themselves out of it.
Must say it knocked the "FLU on the head. Dont you think???

From dawnpayton on Fri May 15 05:32PM
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If MP's are claiming for such things as groceries, carpets, wallpaper and even bath plugs and packets of Maltezers, what on earth are they spending their incomes on ? Oh that's right they're saving that up for retirement so they can add it to the obscene amount they get pensioned off with.
Sack the lot, they're s@#$% !

From steventrusler on Fri May 15 05:32PM
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