Week 23.09

Tendring Topics…….on Line

Resign? Why not sack them?

I had thought that I was pretty angry about the way that our parliamentary representatives have been feathering their own nests at our expense. My anger though pales before that of my elder son Pete. He is particularly furious about the way in which MPs, once found out, have been able to get away with returning their ill-gotten gains and resigning when it best suits their own convenience…..and their bank balance! Here are extracts from an email that he sent to the Prime Minister on 30^th May.

I emailed you on 21^st May on the 10 Downing Street web site expressing my outrage at the manner in which Members of Parliament who were guilty of making false expenses claims, or have brought the House into disrepute, had been allowed to pay back money they should never have claimed, and resign in their own good time…..at the next election.

As a former Assistant Director of Housing at the London Borough of Hackney this is something which we would never have allowed, and I am sure the policy has not changed and is the same for every local authority in the country. I was involved in the dismissal of several members of staff and no-one was given the option of resigning, retiring or paying back money stolen. It was ensured that the guilty lost their pension rights and left without a favourable reference. Local authorities take adherence to standards in public service very seriously and I am appalled to find a different policy being adopted for Members of Parliament.

Your response, from Labour Party Headquarters was, I regret, a standard one showing that the main thrust of my email had been ignored. It sought to apologise that 'the system has let me down', share blame with other parties (references to 'the moat' scandal) and promote the policies and achievements of the Labour party. I have, in fact, always voted Labour and I do not need to be reminded of your achievements or persuaded of the benefits of your policies. This is for me, and millions of others an entirely separate, but very important issue of equality of treatment, integrity, and of upholding standards in public life, where I feel your government has so far failed lamentably.

I read in 'The Independent' today that 'Elliot Morley has become the 13^th expenses victim'. The report claims he said that stepping down was 'his decision'. I read further that he had claimed £18,000 mortgage payments for an incredible eighteen months after the mortgage had been repaid, that this was 'a genuine mistake' and it has since been repaid. 'The Independent' comments that as a result of continuing as an MP till the next election he will 'qualify for a pay-off equivalent to a year's salary'. Given that the next election may be a year away, he will in fact be about £120,000 better off than he would have been had he been summarily dismissed, as he most surely would have had he been a local government employee.

I fully appreciate that the employment situation of a Member of Parliament is unusual and probably lacking many normal provisions. However I see MPs being allowed or even encouraged simply to repay money. I hear no real anger from the Labour front benches about the illegal acts of some of their colleagues. I hear no talk of legal advice and of changing employment contracts, in order to achieve dismissal. I feel that blaming the problem on 'the system' as you did in your letter, a gross misjudgement on your part. It is not possible to have explicit rules to cover every scenario and you should not attempt to devise such rules for the future. The situation is not at all complex. It is absolutely clear that some, but not all, MPs have failed to behave with integrity. The system would be best served by ensuring that the strongest possible measures are taken against them, as an example to others and as a clear statement of your determination to enforce standards. I see no evidence that you are doing that.

The letter concludes with a request for confirmation or denial of the 'Independent's' statements that Mr Morley claimed money without cause for a period of eighteen months and that his defence was that this was a genuine mistake; that repayment of money by Mr Morley had been officially accepted, prior to any investigation as to whether fraud had been committed (thereby immeasurably weakening the legal position of the employer); that Mr Morley voluntarily decided not to stand at the next lection and that this position has also been accepted; that if Mr Morley continues as an MP till the next election he will be entitled to a severance payment of a year's salary; and that to date the only sanction that has been taken against Mr Morley is his suspension from the Labour Party.

It finally asks what contractual impediments currently exist to prevent normal disciplinary action against MPs who commit fraud or bring the House into disrepute, and what steps the Prime Minister is taking to ensure that those who have stolen from or dishonoured their employer can be dismissed without receiving any kind of leaving payment.

I think it most unlikely that Pete will receive a satisfying reply, but I am sure that he feels better for having sent that email! He is clearly takes after his dad in at least some respects!

Pete, in Switzerland, relaxing in 2007

Perhaps I may add that he wasn't and isn't just 'an Assistant Director of Housing' for Hackney. For many months, during an interregnum, he was the borough's Acting Director of Housing. Later when, after one of Hackney's political and administrative upheavals, he was made redundant, he founded his own Computer Software Consultancy specialising in problems of public administration. He is currently Founder and Managing Director of Hub Solutions Ltd. with bases in London and Glasgow, serving local authorities, police authorities and other public bodies throughout Great Britain. (see: www.hubsolutions.co.uk )

Voting Day – Tomorrow!

Well, it is 'tomorrow' if you are reading this blog on Wednesday 3^rd June, the day that the blog should have been posted on the internet (it was posted two days early in error!). Like many other no-longer-young or disabled people I voted by post, a week ago. I had something of a shock when I received my voting papers. On the voting paper for the County Council election there were just five candidates, all representing political parties with which I am at least familiar but for the European election there were no less than fifteen parties, of several of which I, and I have little doubt most other electors, had never heard.

On the County Council ballot paper we are asked to put our cross against the name of our preferred candidate though the political party that he or she represents is indicated. In the past there was an official pretence that we all voted for the individual rather than the party. As anyone who was involved in the conduct of elections in those days will remember, polling station peace was often disturbed by loud whispers of, 'Which one is the Conservative (or Labour) candidate?'

For the European election there is a system of proportional representation. We vote for the political party and seats are allocated in proportion to the votes cast for each party. The seats, if any, that each party gains are allocated to the party nominees whose names also appear on the ballot paper, in the order in which they are listed.

For the European election I cast my vote for the Green Party. They are a truly all-European Party whose leaders really believe that climatic change is the biggest threat facing humanity today and that it is a threat that demands drastic and immediate action. There are a number of 'Green' members of the European Parliament but none from Britain as yet. Proportional Representation offers the best possibility of putting that right.

For the County Council election I voted tactically. I have no confidence in the present Conservative Administration and little more in any New Labour Administration that might replace it. I would like to play a small part in keeping UKIP and the BNP out of the County Council Chamber and I don't see at present the least hope of a 'Green' County Council. The Lib. Dems. did oppose our involvement in Iraq, an illegal enterprise that proved to be a recruitment inducement for terrorists. The Lib.Dems. do support proportional representation and closer ties with Europe. Above all, as far as I am concerned, they are neither Conservative nor New Labour. So…….their candidate received my vote.

Finally – a much more savoury subject!

Do you remember, months ago now, my writing about Jodie Barnes (almost a neighbour of mine in Clacton's Dudley Road) the teenage archer who had vowed to her terminally ill father, that she would compete in the 2012 London Olympics? Perhaps you thought that this was just a flash in the pan, a pleasantly sentimental story about a local girl with hopes far beyond her capacity.

I am now able to record that Jodie has been making solid progress toward realizing her Olympic ambitions, and has justified every penny donated by generous sponsors to meet her travelling and other expenses. After a string of successes throughout the UK representing our local archery club, the Priory Bowmen, she has just recently returned in triumph to Clacton from her first sortie abroad. Representing Great Britain in an unofficial European Archery shoot in Malta she won top position in the UK team. Jodie shot on Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th April winning the highest score on both days and breaking an old Essex County record that had been unchallenged for thirty years! In this international contest she was competing with experienced archers from Malta, Italy, France, Spain and Germany. The bowmen of Agincourt would have been proud of her.

Jodie isn't, it must be said, the only promising young archer among the Priory Bowmen. The Priory team recently won, for the first time in many years, the prestigious Clophill junior indoor trophy match at Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Members of the team were Jodie, Dan Atkinson and not-yet-sixteen Alice Hall (not a relative of mine I'm afraid). Jodie again created a new county record at this event.

Jodie Barnes, The Gazette under 18 sportswoman of the year.

Modern archery, particularly for those aspiring to international competition, can be an expensive sport. Jodie is still seeking financial sponsors to support her progress towards those 2012 Olympics. Potential sponsors, and those seeking more information about the Priory Bowmen should get in touch with Mr R.S. Hogben, 349 St. John's Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO16 8DS. Phone 012455 474652. Email: hogbrob@btinternet.com