Credibility ... and Integrity
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister is correct - it is not the time for a General Election. However, it IS the time for Constitutional Elections in the areas where there has been substantive abuse of the expenses system. The reason - CREDIBILITY. Credibility is something that cannot be found lacking amongst "professionals" WITHOUT A REASON, because they are deemed "educated" and "trained". That is why "beyond reproach" exists with the holding of public office. That is why the CONSEQUENCES should be severe and criminal. The issue is democracy.
INTEGRITY on the otherhand should mean that Mr Martin, Speaker of the House of Commons - IS NOT STANDING DOWN ALONE!
My MP has notified me that his expenses are in order. He has also notified me that there are "interim measures" being agreed by the main party leaders. In the longer term, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has been asked to conduct an inquiry and make recommendations - which will be expected in the Autumn or sooner. The Committee is inviting submissions - a copy of the consultation paper can be found on the Committee's website www.public-standards.org.uk and written submissions can be sent by email to inquiry@standards.x.gsi.gov.uk or by post to the Review of MP's Expenses, The Committee on Standards in Public Life, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.
A General Election now would "punish" those who have good/high credibility and integrity - that in my opinion is not acceptable as it would be UNFAIR to penalise in any way those who have been decent, hard-working, honest and not abused their expense claims even where the opportunity and the temptation was there to do so.
However, I am concerned that a political show on TV last night suggested the inquiry will look at the last 4 years: I do not consider this is acceptable - the inquiry should investigate from 1997 - the point of origin of New Labour. Moreover, it should also map the expenses both abusing and non-abusing to "voting" in the House of Commons. In this regard, Gordon Brown MP should not be standing alone - he inherited a lot of problems from ex-PM Tony Blair's leadership regardless that he has had every opportunity to deal via Cabinet throughout duration.
The reason: there has to be a reason why the judiciary and legal profession is substantively COMPROMISED when it is supposed to be about the "application of the rule of law" (in my experience a legal mafia and organised crime exists which has not yet been dealt with Mr Brown, PM - with also, unbelievely, a prison population reaching 80,000!). Also why the banking and financial sector has taken a direct hit including pensions; why the Defence and Security Dept entered into the "UNJUST" and OBVIOUS deficiency in Intelligence Services - Hans Blix should have been provided time to complete his report and recommendations"; and now the Politicians appear to be scuttling the ship that is already significantly scuppered!
I was pleased to see that the Ghurkas have now had a satisfactory outcome - well done Ms Joanna Lumley.
I was also pleased to be watching the Chelsea Flower Show on TV last night and see Ken Livingston state "plant an Oak Tree [and Birch] and it will attract 250 species. A bit more aesethetic in society would make some areas of the UK a safer and nicer desireable place to be. Well done Mr Livingston. And the Chelsea Show Gardeners Discussions raised a topic close to my own heart - roundabouts - aesethetic would be nice - driving along the road gride - mirage, oasis (take a look at the roundabouts in Inverness!), non-violent criminals project anybody - crime does not pay - prisoner/ex-prisoners employability skills and training opportunity/gap filler on resume, etc.
Which also set me thinking ... air pollution. Many rooftop office blocks in Central London / cities could usefully be covered by potted "leylandii" for their life to 3 or 4 foot - "leylandii" trees are the air purifiers: excess water usage in the buildings could quite easily be recirculated/recycled to the rooftop to irregate. 3 or 4 year old plants then sold on and planted out - commercially roof top space could be rented out to the Forestry Commission! covering management costs of the building! Also, why do allotments need to be on the ground - why not on the roof - even tomatoes! You saw it here first - climate change idea!
INTEGRITY on the otherhand should mean that Mr Martin, Speaker of the House of Commons - IS NOT STANDING DOWN ALONE!
My MP has notified me that his expenses are in order. He has also notified me that there are "interim measures" being agreed by the main party leaders. In the longer term, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has been asked to conduct an inquiry and make recommendations - which will be expected in the Autumn or sooner. The Committee is inviting submissions - a copy of the consultation paper can be found on the Committee's website www.public-standards.org.uk and written submissions can be sent by email to inquiry@standards.x.gsi.gov.uk or by post to the Review of MP's Expenses, The Committee on Standards in Public Life, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.
A General Election now would "punish" those who have good/high credibility and integrity - that in my opinion is not acceptable as it would be UNFAIR to penalise in any way those who have been decent, hard-working, honest and not abused their expense claims even where the opportunity and the temptation was there to do so.
However, I am concerned that a political show on TV last night suggested the inquiry will look at the last 4 years: I do not consider this is acceptable - the inquiry should investigate from 1997 - the point of origin of New Labour. Moreover, it should also map the expenses both abusing and non-abusing to "voting" in the House of Commons. In this regard, Gordon Brown MP should not be standing alone - he inherited a lot of problems from ex-PM Tony Blair's leadership regardless that he has had every opportunity to deal via Cabinet throughout duration.
The reason: there has to be a reason why the judiciary and legal profession is substantively COMPROMISED when it is supposed to be about the "application of the rule of law" (in my experience a legal mafia and organised crime exists which has not yet been dealt with Mr Brown, PM - with also, unbelievely, a prison population reaching 80,000!). Also why the banking and financial sector has taken a direct hit including pensions; why the Defence and Security Dept entered into the "UNJUST" and OBVIOUS deficiency in Intelligence Services - Hans Blix should have been provided time to complete his report and recommendations"; and now the Politicians appear to be scuttling the ship that is already significantly scuppered!
I was pleased to see that the Ghurkas have now had a satisfactory outcome - well done Ms Joanna Lumley.
I was also pleased to be watching the Chelsea Flower Show on TV last night and see Ken Livingston state "plant an Oak Tree [and Birch] and it will attract 250 species. A bit more aesethetic in society would make some areas of the UK a safer and nicer desireable place to be. Well done Mr Livingston. And the Chelsea Show Gardeners Discussions raised a topic close to my own heart - roundabouts - aesethetic would be nice - driving along the road gride - mirage, oasis (take a look at the roundabouts in Inverness!), non-violent criminals project anybody - crime does not pay - prisoner/ex-prisoners employability skills and training opportunity/gap filler on resume, etc.
Which also set me thinking ... air pollution. Many rooftop office blocks in Central London / cities could usefully be covered by potted "leylandii" for their life to 3 or 4 foot - "leylandii" trees are the air purifiers: excess water usage in the buildings could quite easily be recirculated/recycled to the rooftop to irregate. 3 or 4 year old plants then sold on and planted out - commercially roof top space could be rented out to the Forestry Commission! covering management costs of the building! Also, why do allotments need to be on the ground - why not on the roof - even tomatoes! You saw it here first - climate change idea!
posted by Lesley McDade at 11:45 am
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