Skinny Pussycat

Four of Labour's most senior shadow ministers face a House of Commons inquiry - apparently - having been reported to the parliamentary standards commissioner - John Lyon.

The charge is that Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, Andy Burnham and Liam Byrne - all ministers in the previous Labour government - failed to register a potential conflict of interest - and so breached parliamentary rules.

The conflict of interest alleged is that the Labour shadow ministers sought to amend legislation - which would have benefited the same trade unions - from whom the Labour party has received huge financial support over the years.

Now clearly this is a political stunt - designed to embarrass the unhealthy extent to which the trade unions dominate Labour's financial affairs - the unions are by far an away the party's biggest donors - contributing around 90% of Labour funds.

But the backdrop is a report that is coming out this week from Christopher Kelly - chairman of the committee on standards in public life - which will call for a £10,000 cap on donations to political parties - to limit the influence of big corporate backers.

Sounds like a good idea if you ask me - the influence of Britain's union bosses (the Bubs) on Labour is an unhealthy thing for both sides - because it makes then lazy and complacent.

For an example of just how lazy and complacent - consider Scotland.

Where the SNP has pushed the Labour party aside - to become the party that most trade union members in Scotland support.

Including the late Jimmy Reid - of course.

Just like the trade unions - the Labour party has become a mere shadow of its former self - a once proud roaring lion has turned into a skinny pussy cat .

But the big question that no one wants to face up to is - why?