What would you influence for a wodge of cash?

By PRSD, on Tuesday, January 27, 2009

posted by Cptn

With the latest scandal to hit Westminster, we thought we’d ask ‘What would you influence for a wodge of cash?’

We’re also keen to hear if you think the current system is the best way to make laws.

And we thought it would be a hoot to find out what our parliamentary representatives thought of the current issue of ‘cash for influence’ in the House of Lords. So, with a rather unfortunate subject line of “cash for influence quote”, we got in touch with all the Devon MPs and MEPs. We’re sure they know what we mean (and so far, we haven’t received an invoice, so we reckon democracy is safe…)

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“A fully elected second chamber, with a salary enabling them to do it full time, is the only answer. It needn’t cost the taxpayer a fortune, as we could reduce the number of MPs accordingly. But asking Lords to do a full time job, as many of them do, without offering a salary leaves some of them grubbing around for something to live off.”
Nick Harvey
MP for North Devon, Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary
www.nickharveymp.com

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“We don’t know the truth of these allegations yet, but they are extremely serious. The rules are perfectly clear, there are no grey areas – paid advocacy is banned and should remain so. If amendments have been made to legislation in exchange for cash, then that is utterly despicable. As far as I am concerned, If anybody in either the House of Lords or House of Commons is found to have done what the Sunday Times claims, then in my view they should not only be kicked out of their party, they should be expelled from Parliament entirely.

“Sadly, Parliament does not have a great reputation in this regard. I do not think all politicians are crooks, or even that these sorts of things are practiced by any more than a tiny minority. But if we don’t take swift and serious action against those who do break the rules, than I can understand why the public hold us in such low esteem. Corruption of any sort should not tolerated, and those who commit it should not just receive a slap on the wrist.”
Geoffrey Cox
MP for Torridge and West Devon
www.geoffreycox.co.uk

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Naturally, I condemn the practice of “cash for questions” and I am pleased to live in a country where such malpractice can be exposed. But we need an elected House of Lords so that the public can throw out the dishonest ones.
Graham Watson
South West MEP
www.grahamwatsonmep.org

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PRSD

Naturally, I condemn the practice of "cash for questions" and I am pleased to live in a country where such malpractice can be exposed. But we need an elected House of Lords so that the public can throw out the dishonest ones.
Graham Watson
South West MEP
www.grahamwatsonmep.org

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"As a co-signatory to the parliamentary motion on MP expenses that helped persuade the Government to withdraw the proposal to water down what should be published, I am genuinely disappointed to read about these allegations.

"My Liberal Democrat colleague Chris Huhne has called for a police investigation into aspects of these claims and I agree with him. The Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg has argued that we should be able to sack Peers from the House of Lords who break the rules, and I agree with him also.

"What saddens me most about these events is that the public are likely to judge all people involved in politics by the behaviour of the worst when, in my experience, most people of whatever party are not in it for what they can get out of it but are motivated by a desire to serve and do their best for their community and their country."
Adrian Sanders
MP for Torbay
www.adriansanders.org

"Sadly, Parliament does not have a great reputation in this regard. I do not think all politicians are crooks, or even that these sorts of things are practiced by any more than a tiny minority. But if we don’t take swift and serious action against those who do break the rules, than I can understand why the public hold us in such low esteem. Corruption of any sort should not tolerated, and those who commit it should not just receive a slap on the wrist.”
Geoffrey Cox
MP for Torridge and West Devon
www.geoffreycox.co.uk

"A fully elected second chamber, with a salary enabling them to do it full time, is the only answer. It needn’t cost the taxpayer a fortune, as we could reduce the number of MPs accordingly. But asking Lords to do a full time job, as many of them do, without offering a salary leaves some of them grubbing around for something to live off."
Nick Harvey
MP for North Devon, Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary
www.nickharveymp.com