Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
26 January 2009
08:2513878For those who may not be up to speed on this story here is a brief synopsis... Journalists working undercover for the Sunday Times managed to tempt 4 Labour Peers into accepting money to change statute book legislation in the House of Lords. The Peers agreed to do this ( it is alleged) and the sums of money changing hands was in the region of £30,000 per individual.The Lords would do the necessary if they got paid these substantial sums. These are all ALLEGATIONs at this stage, so that aspect must be remembered, but at the same time have these guys just been found out with their hands in the till.
The responsible journalists from the auguste Sunday Times have no reason to lie and no doubt will have acquired proof to back up their story. So does this just take the lid off another murky episode in British politics. Are they all doing this? How much of it goes on?
The weird thing is..there are no penalties for getting caught. There are no penalising painful ejections from the upper House or anything of that nature. A chap might get a bit of a mild ticking off but that would be it. One never loses ones Peerage. Heavens no! So there are no consequences either for doing wrong or getting caught.
The LibDems have called for a full Police investigation rather than have the affair just be looked at by a HoL committee. I think this is a good idea, then perhaps Lords or anyone else doing anything dodgy could feel the full brunt of the law. It would stiffen the legal sinews for future cases.
Once again though it leaves the public with a bad taste and a low opinion of politics and politicians.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 January 2009
08:5813884You are right PaulB it does leave a very bad taste in the mouth. British politics used to have a reputation for being clean of corruption, cases were very rare indeed. Over the last 20 years there have been far too many cases like these allegations.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
26 January 2009
13:1213906i was wondering how long this little gem would turn up.it will be intresting to read all the comments about it,might make me break into a smile.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
26 January 2009
18:4613917Why would you smile about Labour corruption in the House of Lords Brian - what's funny about it ?
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 January 2009
19:2613920Any alleged corruption Roger, any, it transends parties.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
26 January 2009
19:4413921Sadly corruption seems to be prevalent in all the political parties. It is hardly that those individuals concerned need the money. It is just sheer greed and does little to enhance politics and peoples conception of what a politician should be.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
26 January 2009
20:0513922Because it's so common place, in all parties, and goes unpunished, they probably truly believe they have done nothing wrong. We have all condemned the two criminals on the open page for their crimes, what's the difference with them and these three (if Allegations are true of course)
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
26 January 2009
20:1113923roger,i wont be smiling about the corruption just the postings on here.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
26 January 2009
20:2313926can we return to the main point paul made?
it would appear that our selected representatives are immune from punishment, if found to having done something wrong.
i suppose we could bring in laws that would make them responsible for their actions.
would any new laws get through the lords though
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
26 January 2009
21:0213937madam gilatine might work,thats if the freach can spare a couple.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
26 January 2009
21:1213943I think Barryw is right(blimey wot am i saying!)
All parties have had members get involved in shady dealings(not saying this one is!)
So its cross party!!!!
and its another thing tha stops people voting
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
26 January 2009
21:3213949Could someone explain why they are immune from punishment, please?
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 January 2009
23:2513971All of us who care about our democracy can only condemn those who get involved in this way. The Peer on tv today recorded secretly talking about how he gets £100k a year from firms and how it is cheap for what he does, then going on to talk about bending riules was, frankly appalling.
We must keep it in perspective, however. The vast majority of Peers, MPs and indeed councillors of all Parties are honest and hard working, it is a minority that brings them into disrepute.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
26 January 2009
23:3013972agreed barry, but what safeguards are there against bad apples?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 January 2009
23:3213974Clearly not enough, howard. This must be addressed with urgency.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
26 January 2009
23:3913977theres allways the compost heap.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
27 January 2009
00:0813979in the commons they can get away with not proffering receipts for expense claims up to a certain amount.
in the european parliament only 30% of mep's produce evidence of staff costs of over 100k a year.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
27 January 2009
08:4813983It has emerged this morning that the Sunday Times approached a number of Peers from both political persuasions..that is Labour and Conservative, and all the Conservatives to a man turned them down. So thats a definite one up for the Tories at this juncture.
But its clearly the case that much of this bribery stuff goes on. If the Sunday Times could strike this gold in a relatively short time with a few enquiries, how much lies just out of their reach. It is very disappointing though isnt it , that Peers in the House of Lords of all places, are willing to take money to influence legislation. I mean...well its just the pits!
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
27 January 2009
10:3913993My question was genuine, why they are immune from punishment, please?
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
27 January 2009
10:5713995I am not sure they really are Gary, if they break the law. It may be that they have been bending rules and if so then the rules are inadequate. We shall have to see, something certainly needs to be done to restore confidence.
