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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.

Comments31 - 40 of 1418

According to me all MPs and Councillors are cheat that is the only reason they go into Politics for.I think they should all be tried and punished.By the way i am from Dewsbury and this has nohing to do with being a Muslim.

From masaudtariq on Fri May 15 05:33PM
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I have corresponded with my local MP onthis subject and suggested that all MP that can travel home to their costituency must. Those that can't need somewhere to stay overnight not a second home which would a waste given the time Parliament sits. Office and feeding facilities are provided in the House. Their home to work travel costs and constituency travel costs are a taxable benifit in kind and should be treated in the same way as any other worker. As for the hours spent in the house well it is a part time job. Salary should be the same as the Civil Service somewhere around UG 7.

From tonysallen on Fri May 15 05:33PM
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If someone decides to fiddle their tax returns then get caught, they should pay back the money they fiddled, then that should be the end of the matter, shouldn't it?????
The MPs who are guilty of fraud should be subject to the full extent of our laws. But the individuals who signed off these expenses should also be investigated as well, as they are also guilty of allowing this "free for all" to continue.

From fred.dyer on Fri May 15 05:33PM
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spot on. they should all be kicked out

From robshegog on Fri May 15 05:34PM
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The only problem with kicking these 'foreigners' out of 'our' country is ... it's his country as well. Shahid Malik was born and raised in Burnley, which the last time I looked was in England. This, unfortunately, makes him an English scrounger. These are the facts that the Nazi BNP conveniently forget to tell the electorate. Democracy comes at the next election, when his constituents vote him out.

From holyroller411 on Fri May 15 05:35PM
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And as for Maureen voting for the BNP or UKIP well God help us then!! The BNP are going to pay non whites to be repatriated and also pay the country they go back to how much will that cost the tax payer??? And how will they replace all these people the NHS would grind to a halt as there arn't enough white native doctors with the experience to take their place. They would have us come out of Europe yet they are putting candidates up for the europian parliament wheres the logic there??? and what about all the subsidies we get from europe they would have to stop, dont think many farmers would be happy about that. We really should think about who we vote for next time after all this but perhaps a vote for the green party would be more worthwhile. Gordon Brown should sack everyone and leave it to the country to choose.

From eemaan01 on Fri May 15 05:35PM
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Insignificant distraction when untold £Trillions have been mugged from the public or common wealth via the so-called 'bank bailouts'. Truly, these amounts are small change hammed up via media hype to give the impression that The Guv' is taking no prisoners when it comes to swindling the public purse, when in reality, politics is corporate profiteering and politicians are no more than managed pirates.

From serenamartin13 on Fri May 15 05:36PM
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maureen919 - if you're a reasonable person, please think again about voting for a far right party, or you might end up like silver_canary1, who is the kind of person far right parties like to use - angry and discontented and ready to fire off against the easiest target without putting much thought into it. Racism is so knee-jerk - you don't need a brain to be racist, a spinal cord will do. You can send a message to the corrupt MPs in the main parties (and most of them are white), by voting Green Party.

From philsarahbu on Fri May 15 05:36PM
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While deploring the expenses abuse as much as anyone, I deplore even more the hate coming from silver_canary1 directed towards one Moslem MP (if he is indeed a Moslem), who may or may not be a foreigner. "All these moslem scroungers" - would silver_canary1 care to name one other. And quite what is his/her remedy for MP scroungers with the same skin-tone as his/hers?

From david.bone10 on Fri May 15 05:36PM
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I think its disgusting, abusing our trust and robbing us, they should go to court like we would have to, the MP's should all be sacked and bring in new bodies. hope they all get what they deserve they are nothing but thieves in our eyes. no wonder they rise our taxes so we can keep them in a life of luxury. We get minimal wage rises and are losing jobs everywhere but are they bothered? NO!!! Absolutely outrageous.

From lynneraff2003 on Fri May 15 05:38PM
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