Say What You Mean!
New 'rules' enabling MPs to claim £25 a day in tax free expenses - without providing any receipts - were slipped out as honourable members left Parliament - for their mammoth 82 day summer recess (see post dated 28 July 2009).
But up until very recently MPs seemed to understand that a 'double standard' over the need to produce receipts - was no longer acceptable - no more one law for us and another law for them.
Here's what the main party spokespeople said at the height of the MPs' expenses scandal - when the issue was under fierce scrutiny:
Harriet Harman - Labour's deputy leader said in the spring:
“There would need to be receipts for all claims. I really do think that that is something sensible which we could decide for ourselves now.”
Alan Duncan - the Tories spokesperson previously said:
“The second home allowance was often just paid once a month without receipts, which is an unacceptable system in the modern age.”
Nick Harvey - spoke for the Lib Dems:
"Confidence and trust have to be re-built from rock bottom. We're going to have to make fundamental changes to be seen to put our house in order."
Now the challenge for the politicians is to live up to their fine words - when they return to the House of Commons in October. To coin an old slogan:
Say What You Mean - Mean What You Say.
But up until very recently MPs seemed to understand that a 'double standard' over the need to produce receipts - was no longer acceptable - no more one law for us and another law for them.
Here's what the main party spokespeople said at the height of the MPs' expenses scandal - when the issue was under fierce scrutiny:
Harriet Harman - Labour's deputy leader said in the spring:
“There would need to be receipts for all claims. I really do think that that is something sensible which we could decide for ourselves now.”
Alan Duncan - the Tories spokesperson previously said:
“The second home allowance was often just paid once a month without receipts, which is an unacceptable system in the modern age.”
Nick Harvey - spoke for the Lib Dems:
"Confidence and trust have to be re-built from rock bottom. We're going to have to make fundamental changes to be seen to put our house in order."
Now the challenge for the politicians is to live up to their fine words - when they return to the House of Commons in October. To coin an old slogan:
Say What You Mean - Mean What You Say.
