Please be kind enough to note my incredulous disgust at the Government's move to suppress detailed disclosure of Members' expenses despite having undertaken to do so for the avoidance of both abuse and the suspicion thereof, and in particular Mr Straw's intention to alter the law in order to facilitate this. There is no legitimate reason, notwithstanding the thin protestations of the Leader of the House, that Parliamentarians should be exempted from the duty laid upon all other public servants to account to taxpayers for your expenditure of our money for your personal benefit. This inexplicable and dishonourable decision unavoidably prompts even more suspicion of abuse than in the status quo ante. The House has brought discredit upon Parliament and upon Members of Parliament, and done our nation's political integrity grave disservice. I hope I never again hear a politician complain about the apathy of voters or express mystification at the low esteem in which you, as a class, are held. In this matter, your own deliberate action as elected Representatives prompts general derision.
The remedy is in the hands of yourself and your Honourable and Right Honourable colleagues who may care to reflect upon who it is that employs you, and for what. You are uniquely privileged in being able to determine your own conditions of employment without reference to your employers. Nevertheless, you would do well to remember that your employers observe you and, drawing their own conclusions, will, in their turn confer or withhold their approval without reference to you.
I do not know how you, personally, intend to vote in this matter so, for now, I give you the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately for you the public at large will not distinguish between Members who vote honourably in this matter and those who do not. The inevitable upshot is that suspicion of abuse and consequent obloquy will fall upon you all.
Yours sincerely,
Prodicus of Ceos
cc. David Cameron, MP
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