Honestly I haven't a clue

So it's been a few weeks since the expenses row emerged, and the storm has pretty much blown over (for now). The only notable action to address these issues, so far, has been based on individual MPs, most significantly our Shadow Chancellor, a certain Mr Osborne, is being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commission. It's interesting that he was dogged in by his constituency's Labour Party leader. Petty playground politics? Time will tell.


Two pieces of legislation this week attempted to inject some much needed honesty into British Political life.

1. Parliamentary Standards Bill (edit) - MPs rejected at first the bill that proposed that, as a way of removing some of the expenses controversy, their words, as spoken in Parliament, could be used as evidence in court. Since honesty has never been particularly fashionable among MPs the bill was immediately rejected, with backbenchers including Margaret Beckett, rebelling against their party. However, other features such as the creation of an Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, were widely supported. Although this does seem kinda fun and helpful it also appears that this has all happened before (*cough* Parliamentary Standards Commission *cough*). The bill got passed once Parliamentary Privilege (the whole court thing) was restored.


2. Disclosing Second Jobs - Since MPs love money even more than the rest of us, second jobs are another way of raking even more in. However, remember these peeps are supposed to be representing us, and our interests, in Parliament. If there off being an accountant I doubt they're considering your local hospital, in that particular Parliamentary debate, or in that committee. On Wednesday 1st July, however, MPs voted in favour of a bill suggesting they declare outside interests. How coincidentally good for their images! However, it is not yet a criminal offence for them to not declare.

So there you go. Honesty is (sort of) the best policy - especially if you're trying to win reelection. However, I somehow doubt it'll pay off, unless something even more controversial happens to the Tories, and that is gonna be hard. Time to start digging Gordy.