Thread: April & May 2009: Expenses outrage

haha very funny i like it

What we really need is Mark W to get out onto the streets of Bristol with the lady who did the "Talk Like A Pirate Day" (very rude, I know, that I can't remeber her name) and get opinions on havinga "None of the Above" box on British ballot papers from the man on the street. And the woman on the street. And the man on the pavement. And the woman in the shop. And the man in the pub. etc etc. It won't mean anything but I'm sure Mark would make a splendid film.

There's something going on and you don't know how to deal with it, do you, Mr Brown.

Tim, guess whats the news here today..

Politician expenses, and a list of all the lurks they receive, lists of all the big spenders, even historical lists to compare.
I don't want this thread to turn into a political bash, I am just indicating to you how the ripple of what has gone on in your homeland will wash through our system, in fact it's doing so right now.

Mind you in the system here there is no independent body examining expenses, so until this happens it's a 'free for all', literally.

Almost like people at the mint deciding on how much they will pay themselves, imagine that little lurk.

Originally Posted by rollingstock

Tim, guess whats the news here today..

Well, it's refreshing to know that the UK can still start a ripple, rather than just thrash around in the wash of the US as we usually do.

Well Tim they tried here, and it lasted a day. a internal committee will investigate expenses and in that lies the reason why nothing gets done.

I can still watch your video and enjoy it without the knowledge of the news item it's based on, it should go on and do very well.

All it takes, Leo, is someone to leak some of the info the interbal investigation throws up at the right time and all hell can break loose. At least,that's what happened here.

I was diasspointed that the leak process appeared to be timed and postioned by the telegraph to attempt to make this a divisive party issue when clearly it isnt.

I am also reviled by some of the sactimopnoius clap trap that is being spouted in some quarters - almost as much as I am outraged by pron films and duck ponds.

Esther Rancid an MP? Oh spare us that media whore please. Lols.

Tim, I watched the TV news in Oz today (remember I don't watch much TV) and the UK expenses scandal was second billing, something about 4 ministers involved and asking the the resignation of the British PM...did I hear it right?, I really did not catch the full story just letting you know it's still news in a far away convict land where the prisoners were sent to paradise.

You heard (sort of) right. There's a move afoot among a few in the Labour party (the majority and hence ruling party who makes up the Government) to remove Gordon Brown, the PM as leader of the party (and hence as PM) However, they need something like 70 Govenment MPs (out of a total of somewhere in the region of 350) to nominate the same alternative before there can actually be a leadership challenge. It seems no names have been put forward.

We are having County (ie regional) and European elections in the UK today. These traditionally give a bloody nose to whatever party is in power in central government. If Labour do particularly badly against the Conservatives (the other main party), there must be a good chance Brown will be forced to step aside.

However, it's quitre possible that one or more of the minority parties will steal votes from BOTH the main parties (a) as a vote of no confidence in EITHER of the main parties following the expenses scandal and (b) a couple of those parties are in favour of pulling out of Europe - there's a very strong anti-EU feeling here and the referendum on the EU, promised by Labour, never happened, and neither of the main parties are yet openly pro leaving Europe.

So, its possible that both Labour AND Conservatives will do badly, in which case there's not necessarily an immediate pressure on Brown.

That was funny, They should be honered. it came out great.. The effects were impressive, well done Tim