A Whiff of Revolution In The Air (8)
Great Britain is currently suffering through one of the most deplorable scandals in its long history of democracy. Several House of Commons members have been helping themselves from government coffers. Perhaps its time for a systemic shake-up.
In Westminster there are no names: members of the British parliament refer to even their most bitter enemies as “honorable members.” That they are men and women of honor is taken for granted. After all, this is the “Mother of Parliaments,” a name Westminster awarded to itself more than 150 years ago, the cue for younger, lesser democracies to look to London to see how politics should be done.
Well, a word of advice for those nations who once gazed in democratic admiration at Britain: you might want to look away now.
Every day of the last fortnight has brought fresh revelations exposing the greed, deceit and downright dishonor festering in Britain’s House of Commons. Leaked publication of the expenses claims filed by Members of Parliament, or MP’s, has been, by turns, comic — including the news that one landed aristocrat of the Conservative party had claimed £2,000 (€2,290, $3,230) of taxpayers’ money to maintain the moat around his country estate, while another sought £1,645 (€1,884, $2,656) for a floating “duck island” in his garden pond, lest the birds fall prey to foxes — and truly shocking. Even those who follow politics professionally, like I do, have discovered the extent to which our elected representatives have had their snouts in the public trough.
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Related:
6:56 am EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — Mortgage claim MP David Chaytor to stand down at next election
6:57 am EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — Shamed MEPs take share of £20m ‘farewell’ payout
7:08 am EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — Anarchists attempt to arrest wayward MPs
1:02 pm EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — Jacqui Smith to ‘resign’ as Home Secretary
1:05 pm EDT, June 2md, 2009 — Tom Watson to resign from Government
1:08 pm EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — Beverley Hughes to stand down as MP at general election
1:09 pm EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — David Chaytor to stand down
1:15 pm EDT, June 2nd, 2009 — David Cameron calls for referendum on EU constitution
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