The amount of news that is now devoted to expenses and MPs actions to undermine the spirit of their own rules has become more than a trickle. Every Sunday newspaper is looking for a further scam or shortcut that provides evidence of MPs obtaining an advantage denied to the voter. This perpetuates the common notion of a political class, out-of-touch with the ordinary voter. The only similarity with the G20 leaders is this notion of distance.
Today, Geoff Hoon was claiming expenses on a second home when he was enjoying 'grace and favour' accommodation in the Admiralty. He was instantly labelled "Three Homes" Hoon. And why would we sympathise?. Hoon declared that he was acting within the rules, even though his actions were clearly wrong:
“The second home allowance is supposed to subsidise the cost of living away
from your main family home. But if that cost is being met by the taxpayer
then you should not be able to claim for what is effectively a third home,”
the source said.
Whilst Hoon had this third home, it has come to light that his colleagues decided to claim their stamp duty on expenses as well. This is allowed under their procedures, but in this stringent climate, falls as another blow on any reputation for probity. Especially when the claim is manipulated to provide a retirement home, which the MP was stupid enough to admit.
The latest attempt to offset rapid disillusionment is a meeting of the party leaders to anticipate and frame the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The natural shelf life of this sleaze is the final publication of the expenses, as reform is now more likely prior to any election.