The scandal that shamed Westminster
By
Associate Editor
David Stevenson May 15, 2009
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Cameron's apology won't stop parties being punished in the polls
As both Gordon Brown and David Cameron apologised for the behaviour of MPs over their expenses, David Stevenson looks at what it means for Westminster – and at who's been claiming what...
Politicians all claim they're not breaking the rules, but "the character of some ministers, their shadows and MPs of all parties has been wrecked by exposure of their expenses", says Polly Toynbee in The Guardian. "How can those caught pilfering from the public purse denounce benefit fraud… or support the cash-limited social fund that denies beds and blankets to families sleeping on bare boards… or justify paying the unemployed £60.50 a week to live on? Nor can they rant convincingly at City greed or tax-dodgers fleeing to Guernsey."
The scandal has been yet more bad news for Gordon Brown. Toynbee, a once-staunch supporter, called for him to go. He "has been tested and found in want of almost every attribute a leader needs". If Labour wants to avoid being left in the political wilderness for several elections to come, it should unite behind the health secretary, Alan Johnson. "Orphan boy, genial postman, self-made, clever but modest, he has the grace and charm to match his perfect backstory." It's time, she says, for "ordinary members, you valiant few", to "get up and tell your MPs that Gordon Brown must go."
Others attempted to defend the beleaguered parliamentarians, even as the rush began by some to repay their expenses. David Aaronovitch in The Times denounced the "hysteria", arguing the real problem is a public that "wants democracy but doesn't want to pay for it", preferring to toss "the rattle out of the pram". But most were scathing.
"Of course they're all in it for the money," said Sam Leith in the Evening Standard. The self-flattering implication of the 'not in it for the money' boast is that these are people who could now be earning 33 times the average wage as captains of industry, entrepreneurs or hedge-fund managers. In fact, "most look like chiselling little party hacks who couldn't get arrested in the private sector, let alone make a fortune".
By contrast, Cameron has delivered "a blast of genuine leadership", reported The Daily Telegraph, naming and shaming some of the Tory's more egregious offenders. Yet while the Tories remain well ahead, both parties have been punished in the polls amid public outrage. Conservative peer Lord Tebbit was warned by Cameron to behave after calling on voters to show their displeasure by boycotting the main parties at the elections on 4 June. As Robin Oakley tells CNN, the danger is that the "expenses excesses" may give fringe parties such as UKIP and the British National Party "a new legitimacy – and their biggest advance yet".
Does anyone come out looking good?
Not many. But for pure value for money, it has to be Philip Hollobone, Tory MP for Kettering. For 2006/2007, he claimed just £44,500, less than a third of the average of almost £136,000. And he's proud of being Britain's thriftiest MP. He has no PA, refuses to put his wife on the payroll – "not appropriate" – and uses second-class stamps.
"Speaking and voting cost nothing", he tells The Daily Telegraph's Melissa Kite. "I have tried to keep my expenses low – it's taxpayers' money. It has to be accounted for properly". Have there been any signs his parliamentary colleagues might move in line? "I doubt it", he says. They might be re-thinking now...
'You cannot be serious...'
£22,500 Claimed by Labour MP Margaret Moran, for dealing with dry rot at her seafront property – even though she's MP for Luton.
£2,115 Claimed by Conservative MP Douglas Hogg, to have the moat around his country estate cleared.
£389 Claimed by David Heathcote-Amory, Tory MP for Wells in Somerset, for horse manure.
£1,200 Claimed by Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Julia Goldsworthy for a leather rocking chair. She also claimed for a £999 TV and £1,500 in House of Fraser furniture – all just before the deadline for using up allowances, says The Times.
£9,600 Claimed by former deputy prime minister John Prescott for food bills over two years – the maximum allowed. He also claimed for mock-Tudor beams to be fitted to his eight-bedroom, turreted constituency home in Hull, and earned himself the new nickname 'Two Lavs' by claiming for two new loo seats as well.
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