This is another of those many worrying stories of MPs, many of whom were found with their noses deep in the trough in the expenses scandal in 2009, complaining loudly that the new organisation designed to restore public trust in the MPs expenses system is unfair and must be reformed.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has been heavily attacked by many of those whose disgraceful behaviour it was designed to reign in, not least by my namesake Tom Harris, the Labour MP for Glasgow South, who seems to be the most active in bemoaning the unfairness of a system where people employed to do a job are expected to pay for their expenses up front and claim them back later (the cheek of the idea! That never happens in real life, does it now?!). To me, Mr Harris’s tone sounds like that of a public schoolboy complaining about the unfairness of an unfair spotted dick and custard regime – pathetic at best and certainly wholly inappropriate for an MP.
Today I read of yet more grumbling from MPs, so I thought I had better write to my MP to seek his opinion on what I and many others see as his colleagues terrible behaviour.
—
Dear Jeremy Lefroy,
firstly – a very happy new year and I wish you the best of health and happiness for 2011.
I read with great concern of your colleague Roger Gale MP’s disparaging remarks about the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) and his call for its chairman Sir Ian Kennedy to resign. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-condemn-expenses-watchdog-2176369.html
Do you agree with me that his protestations seem particularly misplaced given that Ipsa was set up to repair the devastating damage done to Parliament by the expenses scandal? And do Mr Gale’s comments not look especially inappropriate coming from an MP whose record appears to make him one of the least active? Mr Gale took part in only 18 debates and received answers to 20 written questions last year, below average for MPs and a very poor showing when compared to your own participation in 35 debates and answers to 80 written questions. Can you also confirm for me that Susan Gabrielle Marks is Mr Gale’s third wife and that she is employed as a secretary in his office? Can you see how some people may liken Mr Gale’s remarks to those of a pig simply complaining about a barrier between him and a trough?
David Cameron also seems to misunderstand the nature and purpose of Ipsa, particularly the ‘Independent’ part of it. Last month Mr Cameron said “There needs to be a better system in place by April or there will be change – that is, Ipsa changes or it will change.”, which is a worrying position, I am sure you will agree, given the severity of the issue with the sleazy image which the MPs expenses scandal has tarnished Parliament with.
I would be most grateful if you would share you opinions with me on this matter, in particular whether you agree with me that Mr Gale and Mr Cameron are undermining the vital role Ipsa has to play in restoring trust in British politics and that they should stop and apologise immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Harris
