tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939882551008881761.post1293758826707103432..comments2023-07-13T10:19:45.386+01:00Comments on Grasp the mettle: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?Paul Coombeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143484729379464693noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939882551008881761.post-29175353280183916602009-05-20T14:10:26.212+01:002009-05-20T14:10:26.212+01:00The EU is to blame for the scandal??? Now this is ...The EU is to blame for the scandal??? Now this is where I strongly diverge with you. <br /><br />The expenses were introduced under Thatcher as a consequence that MP pay increases had become unacceptable, but the reforms gradually opened the door to corrupt individuals who saw the expenses and allowances as a right and felt entitled to maximise their claims.<br /><br />It is possibly a consequence of joining the EU insofar as the weaknesses of the FPTP voting system have been shown up in contrast for their democratic deficit (not that PR lists are perfect either), but you can't ascribe fault for that.<br /><br />However, I do agree with you that this is a massive U-turn from Brown - where he was previously for self-regulation and voluntary codes, he now admits this is insufficient and is stating his own supporters are untrustworthy.<br /><br />I personally think that regulators should sit in the Lords and be forced to account for themselves through the parliamentary committees set up for this purpose.Oranjepanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com