we have heard a lot about these lately, including from Mr Salter - but I think they are pointless. Like anything else of the sort, MPs or candidates would all sign up to them if they thought there were votes in them. Maybe we need something a bit more, er, overarching, like this:
May (MPs) never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals; but laying aside all private interests and prejudices keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all mankind.
Well, it was written quite a few years ago, hence the "mankind" (keep up, Reading boys), and I would dispute that MPs "lead the nation", however they are good words, hat-tip Tom Harris MP for reproducing them here, a sound wheeze. Oh, if you were wondering, they are part of the Anglican prayer that is said by the House of Commons Chaplain at the start of each day's business, and for which you have to be present if you want to be sure of a seat in the Chamber that day.
And hat-tip Hopi Sen for posting about MPs' expenses in lolcats. Nobody else could do it.
I have spoken on the subject, in boring old plain English, to Radio 4, for broadcast on a programme called I think The Report next Thursday at 8 pm. They promised to send me a link to it, which I will of course post. And yes, naming has been done, Page Three Angel.
5 comments:
I hope so, Jane.
Look forward to listening to the programme - it has taken long enough.
Why has the Beeb been so 'shy' about this story?
This is what a certain Mr Cromwell said on this very subject a little while
ago, as I recall
Given to the House of Commons
20th April 1653
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which
you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your
practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good
government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell
your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few
pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do
not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which
of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst
you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the
Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked
practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were
deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves
gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name
of God, go!
L9
The really positive thing about all this is that ANYONE standing for ANY party in the future knows full well that WE the taxpayer will be watching them like a hawk - and quite right too - these bastards have been abusing OUR trust as well as OUR MONEY for years - thanks to this that will not happen again - there must be so many ex-MP's and Peers saying 'there but for the grace of god go I' - All we need now is a General Election so we can clear out this fiddling scum - and start afresh with a new Government!
What makes me sick is that both Gordon and Cameron are playing rank re pressurising MPS to stand down.
Dave wanted old buffers like the Wintertons to stand down anyway, plus the likes of Steen and Viggers.
But he is not applying the same 'logic' to his pal Vaisey or chum Gove or the lustrous leather-skirted Julie - she of former House of Commons press bar pranks.
Similarly, why should Margaret Moran take all the Labour flak?
What about Hoon, Purnell ( he of the loathsome flat - renting habits) , Hazel and Jackie? Or Caroline Flint?
It is easy to make Margaret Moran the scapegoat - but neither Brown or Cameron is doing anything to cut the disease out where it hurts.
Naming was obviously edited out - what a shock!?!!
I understand that The Screws might be interested in actually running what you might have to say.
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