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How can we ever trust an MP again?
TRUST: Lord Carey
THE moral authority of Parliament is at its lowest ebb in living memory. That, I'm sorry to say, is my inescapable verdict on Westminster's great expenses scandal.
Coming at a time of financial crisis and political betrayal of the Gurkhas, this threatens to be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back.
Can public trust ever be restored?
The whole nation has seen minister after minister on TV, cringeingly trying to justify their allowances and expenses claims.
Lord Carey on expenses scandal
Reputations of every MP and minister are subject to the most public trial of all-in the court of public opinion.
And let us not forget there was a time when to become an MP was seen as a noble and honourable way of serving your country.
Ask yourself now whether men or women of integrity from whatever walk of life will want to touch political office?
Our politicians of the future are all likely to have climbed the greasy pole from within by working as researchers or lobbyists.
Already our MPs are seeking a scapegoat. The first reaction was to shoot the messenger, blaming so-called chequebook journalism. Yet they've only themselves to blame.
It is not just the clawing greed of painstaking claims for such minor items as tampons, barbecue sets and bathrobes, but also the egregious way some have transferred allowances from one second property to another-enabling them to refurbish homes at public expense then sell at a profit.
The latest revelations show it was not just a few MPs with their noses in the trough, but a culture of abuse. While their constituents are suffering from the credit crunch and many are out of work, they've had access to unrivalled funds.
Exploited
And they've made the fullest possible use of them with no sense of obligation to the public whose taxes foot their bills.
But make no mistake, these claims do not wholly tar our politicians as a bunch of crooks and chancers. Many, I know, have honour and integrity.
On Friday I met Gordon Brown in Sheffield and remain convinced that at the heart of the PM's approach is a desire to serve his country. That said, while I'm dismayed by the systematic abuse, frankly I am not greatly surprised.
Without proper, independent checks, human nature is likely to come to see these allowances as a right rather than a privilege. From there it's only a very small step to exploiting and abusing them.
The need now is for politicians collectively to admit they can no longer police themselves. Indeed, if there has been criminal activity going on the police must be brought in and charges must follow.
The whole system of MPs' remuneration and expenses must become subject to public debate and scrutiny, with a fully independent body overseeing any new proposals.
To me, what's most worrying about this sad, sordid and scandalous affair is that it reveals an ambiguity amongst our politicians in their attitudes to public service. Historically, the idea of such service has often been associated with Christian themes of sacrificial love and putting the needs of others before your own.
Today we badly need to recover this vision at the heart of our democracy. Without it our politicians can never restore public confidence and trust.
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This article has 16 comments
It's really a pity!
By cy.. Posted May 13 2009 at 7:11 PM.
Power corrupts absolutely, absoule power corrupts absolutely. The Goverment have proved this again and again, but the Church is no better, it's just that they have been more careful in hiding what they do.
By Lorna Wanstall.. Posted May 13 2009 at 7:49 AM.
Those in stained-glass houses shouldnt throw stones.
By bob.. Posted May 11 2009 at 1:07 PM.
That world war one quote, LIONS led by donkeys comes to mind. The british people are known around the world for their sence of fair play. What have we done to deserve this kind of treatment, by the people we have entrusted with the future, of our children and our wonderfull country. This kind of behaviour is the worst kind of example to show our young people. You politicians should thing twice in the future when you preach to them.
By Mr George Holland.. Posted May 10 2009 at 5:34 PM.
I agree with Carey, however its fine to talk about the injustice of the MPS claiming for 5p carrier bags and kit kits etc but when is it going to stop? These MPs are a law unto themselves and it is appalling that they spend our money on their homes and porn come to think of it. Enough is enough this abuse of power has to stop now.
By Jade Weeks.. Posted May 10 2009 at 2:08 PM.
Why not convert and furnish at public expense the barracks in Kings Road, recently vacated by the army as surplus to requirement, for all MP's of constituencies far enough away from the metropolis to warrant lodgings in London. It is ideally situated, would remain a public asset and remove at a stroke all temptation of profiting by property development.
Maintenence would be a recurrent public expense but personal embellments would be at the expense of the lodger.
I believe Ken Livingston made a similar suggestion and it should be more widely canvassed.
By Michael D... Posted May 10 2009 at 12:09 PM.
As the saying goes the rich get richer, and with a doubt theses MP's are abusing the people in this country how on earth can they get away with using there allowence in this way by living it up, tax payers money in fact, have they no shame, this is why this once honerable counrty is in such a state.
Justify there means well it's to late to justify after all ready spent wouldn't you say.
I'd like to see them live on the basic job seekers allowence of £63 pounds per week.
The media should focus more on the real up-standing people who live way below the poverty line and yet still manage to wake up with a smile on there face's hard living is a fact of life, but should not be in this day and age, come on get real.
By sue.. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:17 PM.
As the saying goes the rich get richer, and with a doubt theses MP's are abusing the people in this country how on earth can they get away with using there allowence in this way by living it up, tax payers money in fact, have they no shame, this is why this once honerable counrty is in such a state.
Justify there means well it's to late to justify after all ready spent wouldn't you say.
I'd like to see them live on the basic job seekers allowence of £63 pounds per week.
The media should focus more on the real up-standing people who live way below the poverty line and yet still manage to wake up with a smile on there face's hard living is a fact of life, but should not be in this day and age, come on get real.
By sue.. Posted May 10 2009 at 12:17 PM.
Correct in everyway Lord Carey, but why have the Police not been involved before now. Home Secretary, and Justice Minister in charge of Police could be the answer.
By Chris Leeman.. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:01 AM.
well said simon@8:23am you are right on the money and considering the UK is meant to be a Christian country (on the coat of arms of the U.K which is seen in the courts of Law and on our European Union UK passports it has Dieu Et Mon Droit which is french for God and my Right
Question Why is there French and Latin not English on the United Kingdom Coat of Arms? )
The Church has been strangley silent till now about the abuse of powers and Taxpayers money by elected officials and civil servants who are right now showing us the True Definition of LIVING AND GETTING RICH OFF THE STATE i.e(Expenses=Benefits Scroungers)
And all parties Conservative,New Labour,Liberal Democrats,Sinn Fein etc are as bad as each other we hope the electorate remember this should we decide to vote for any political party or self-serving parasites again.
By Adama.. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:18 AM.
Yes, MPs are corrupt, but I think his comments are a bit rich given he scored a job (which came with a palace!) on a the basis that he was good in believing made-up stuff.
By Izzy.. Posted May 10 2009 at 9:06 AM.
MPs have lost touch with reality and forgotten, that they are supposed to be serving us, not helping themselves.
But the churches lost the plot years ago and forgot it was God they where serving, and not themselves !
By Simon.. Posted May 10 2009 at 8:23 AM.
It is extremely worrying to see the contempt and rage which is now felt.The argument "within the rules" used by MPs means not within the spirit of the rules.They must be prosecuted for "seeking pecuniary advantage by deceit" and the public will not understand if they are allowed to shuffle off into retirement with bags of swag...every £ misappropriated could have beenspent on health education or the elderly and must be clawed back.
By p doff.. Posted May 10 2009 at 8:31 AM.
I have never trusted MPs, and never will. anyway we said m8
By Rob.. Posted May 10 2009 at 7:23 AM.
There have been many scandals in the Church recently, both CofE and Catholic - child abuse, affairs etc - does that mean we can't trust everyone who works for the Church?
Yes, some of the MPs, have been abusing the system which means it needs a complete reform and it has undermined people's opinions of MPs even further but not all MPs can be blamed for the greed of their colleagues, especially as the rules allowed them to make these expenses.
By Jane.. Posted May 10 2009 at 8:00 AM.
Well said Lord Carey. Have your big boss in heaven deny them access send them where they deserve to go.
I myself think hell is too good for them.
By Peter077.. Posted May 10 2009 at 4:55 AM.