CYNICAL Labour chiefs have issued all their MPs with readymade "Sorry" letters to send to angry voters who complain about the expenses scandal.

Instead of writing their own heartfelt apologies, all each MP need do is FILL IN the constituent's name at the letter's start then SIGN at the end.

After we uncovered the party's astonishingly cynical bid to spin its way out of the political mire, it was last night blasted as a "deplorable" attempt to limit the predicted damage to Labour candidates at this week's Euro and council elections.

Designed to sound like a personal message from the MP, the letter begins: "I thought twice about sending this letter because I know how rightly angry people are with MPs."

But the apparently soul-searching words were penned by an official at party HQ in London and the printed forms circulated to constituencies.

The message goes on: "I would like to echo Gordon Brown's words - that I'm sorry that the political system and some MPs have let you down.

"But I wanted to let you know that Labour have heard your message loud and clear and we are acting to put things right."

Choice

It then tries to score party political points, claiming voters face a choice "between Labour which is giving real support to all during this recession-not Tory tax cuts for the wealthy."

Labour has also sent out another unsolicited letter to voters, purporting to come from Gordon Brown, apologising for the expenses scandal and asking for their vote. But last night one senior Labour MP who received the "template" letters said: "It's just unbelievable that we're playing this game. Some idiot in London has put this package together without thinking of the consequences.

"We're trying to look sincere here and instead we look cynical."

His words were echoed by Tory MP Eric Pickles who raged: "This cynicism is deplorable. No political party has come out of this expenses controversy with much credit.

"What we should be doing is showing a bit of humility, rather than trying to score political points.

"Rather than dithering, Gordon Brown should go to the country and call a General Election so people can tell him what they think."

Figures on Tory leaflets

DAVID Cameron will force Tory MPs to declare their exes on election fliers at the next General Election.

But they will also include the claims of Labour or Lib Dem opponents on their posters and leaflets.

Conservatives believe the calculated gamble will persuade the public that Labour are worse than them.

More Tories have been forced to quit over their allowances, but the government has been blamed for allowing the lax system.

The strategy is a risk for the Tories. Sitting MPs will come up against candidates who will boast they would not claim second home allowances.

But Mr Cameron's prompt action in forcing several MPs to retire has proved popular.

And the new strategy may persuade more old guard Tories to go.

A senior Tory said: "Voters will be left in no doubt we are serious about cleaning up this mess."

Harman in family payblast

HIT OUT: Harriet

LABOUR'S deputy leader Harriet Harman blasted fellow ministers for putting members of their family on the payroll.

In a meeting with party activists in her Peckham constituency she said "many, many more" MPs will quit over the expenses scandal.

She rounded on MPs who employ relatives saying: "It's difficult to make it clear that staff have been hired as a result of fair and open competition if it turns out they are a member of your family. That would make it look like you are enriching your family."

Fellow minsiters Jacqui Smith, Hilary Benn, Caroline Flint and Margaret Beckett all employ their spouses.

• Double dipping MPs in another dodgy deal
• Opik finds a cheeky little earner
• GORDON BROWN: I will do all that's needed to fix this mess
• Now put in your exes
• MPs don't make the rules, we do
• £9m staMPede

This article has 0 comments