Mike Simpson comments on MP's expenses (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Mike Simpson comments on MP's expenses

May 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Mike Simpson, South West Surrey's new Parliamentary Spokesperson

I aspire to be the M.P. for South West Surrey, but the torrent of shocking news about M.P.'s expenses makes me wonder how few people will even turn out to vote at the next General Election. The number of people using the phrase, 'You're all as bad as each other' is likely to rocket and who can blame people for thinking that?

People are angry about the top bankers who lost billions yet walked off with huge pensions. Now their anger is rightly turning against politicians who consorted with the bankers, whilst lining their own pockets with ever more ingenious expense claims.

When there are such dire economic circumstances and we face so many huge challenges, it is critical that people can trust their elected representatives to act honourably and without duplicity. It is clearly not good enough for M.P.s to say, 'I kept to the rules', because they drew up the rules allowing themselves to rip off the taxpayers. It is especially galling when the rest of us have to tighten our belts.

We have had 12 years of 'New Labour', ending in arrogance, incompetence, sleaze and in-fighting. Before that we had 18 years of the Conservatives ending in arrogance, incompetence, sleaze and in-fighting. Is there a different way? I believe there is. In simple terms I believe the key is not to give so much power to so few people.

The top bankers who messed up so catastrophically, only did so much damage because they had almost unlimited power. Politicians tend to make their worst decisions when they have too much power and don't need to consult or reflect on consequences.

The problem is that the political class and the elites who run our government, banks and economy, don't want to give up any of their power or privilege and all the accompanying perks. We must challenge that power and privilege because it has failed us so spectacularly. That's one reason why I am in politics. And I still believe it can be a noble profession.