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For our friends across the Atlantic who may not understand what this scandal is about, I will try to first summarise it without much of my personal prejudices. This situation first came to light a few weeks ago when the Daily Telegraph, a British Newspaper, published an article detailing some of the claims that Members of the British Parliament (or MPs) had made on their expenses allowance. Like any private business, MPs are allowed to claim expenses associated from their line of work back from the government. This mainly involves the cost of accomodation in London, where the House of Commons is situated. MPs need to be located in London in order that they can go to represent their constituents in Parliament. This money is paid back by the government, through the money it raises through taxes (amongst other methods). The scandal erupted not due to the action itself, which has been common practice for many years, but due to the nature of the claims. Giving an example, one MP claimed 2200 for the cleaning of a moat.

The nature of public anger stems from the fact that they see the claims to be wholly excessive. Whilst it is understandable to claim help for a home needed so that an MP can travel to parliament, it is incomprehensible to claim for a duck-house, new furniture or even an adult movie. Whilst at the time these acts were not illegal (the excuse of many guilty MPs), the fact that this is morally inappropriate should have been enough to dissuade MPs from engaging in such ludicrous claims. Thanks to the publicity from the media, the issue has been investigated and many MPs have either been suspended or forced to step down at the next election. The most high profile resignation thus far was from the House Speaker Michael Martin, who it is claimed tried to keep the information about expenses from being published. However, from my personal view, his resignation was a case of him being pushed onto his sword by the 650 MPs in the Commons. By doing this the MPs hope that the issue will go away before any more embarrasing details come into the cold light of day.

This scandal only serves to further underline the corruption and lack of moral integrity that is prevailent in the House, from both government and opposition MPs alike. Over the last few years Parliament has already been rocked by the cash for honours scandal (where businessmen who had donated large sums to the government were given peerages to the House of Lords). This feeling of corruption has caused faith in the mainstream political parties to fall, with smaller parties such as UKIP (the UK independence party) and the Green party expected to pick up seats in the upcoming European parliament elections.

Learn more about this author, Jon Greengrass.
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