More Tory Hypocrisy on Expenses
David Cameron yesterday made the belated decision to demote Alan Duncan after his disparaging comments about the expenses scandal were secretly recorded in July. He had grumbled that MPs were expected to “live on rations and are treated like shit.”
It’s not clear why David Cameron took six weeks to wield the axe – perhaps he was too busy on his holidays to make a decision. More likely, he was waiting until Parliament returned so that the headlines would not be lost amid the silly season.
For Cameron, appearance is everything. He is meticulously carving himself in the image of a Prime Minister. Being seen to crack down on errant MPs has been his modus operandi since the scandal broke. The cynicism with which he has waited for the parliamentary correspondents to return from their holidays this week before taking action betrays his real motives. There is no moral or ethical imperative at work here – only a headline-hunting calculation.
If you are still not convinced, then tell me why Duncan has been kept on the team as Shadow Justice Minister. I realise that, as Shadow Leader of The House, he was directly involved in the Commons’ response to the expenses affair, but if this were anything other than public relations, why would he be entrusted with prisons policy?
If this really were a moral issue, Cameron would have fired him. As it is, he has done just enough to grab a pleasing headline, and keep a capable member of his team on board. We all know that Duncan will be back at the top table after the next election – let’s just hope that’s still the shadow cabinet, and not the real one.
Duncan’s comments had betrayed the Tory attitude to the public, when he said that “no-one who’s done anything in the outside world or is capable of doing such a thing will ever come into this place ever again the way we’re going.”
This is the usual Tory line that dictates that MPs should be rewarded more and more handsomely in order to attract minds of a sufficient calibre. They are incapable of measuring value in any other way than by bank balance. I know many intelligent and thoughtful people who would be wonderful members of parliament. I believe I am one of them. The fact that I didn’t attend Eton, and that I don’t drive a Bentley should not exclude me from consideration.
David Cameron tells us that the status quo is not acceptable, and that wholesale changes must be made. His actions betray his real intentions. There will be no real change in British politics until the voters decide to reject politics as usual and elect more independents and candidates from the smaller parties. This is the only way that the entrenched forces of the establishment can be meaningfully challenged.
