 David Blunkett says the PM "must draw a line in the sand" |
The government has won a series of votes on MPs' expenses but only after it agreed to delay a decision on controversial second homes allowances. The Tory leader David Cameron said the postponement was a sign that Gordon Brown's authority was "ebbing away". The plan had been announced by the prime minister in a video on the Downing Street website less than a week ago. Meanwhile former Home Secretary David Blunkett told the Guardian newspaper that the PM must "draw a line in the sand" after his recent setbacks. Labour "has lost its political antennae and needs to get them back", he said. Read the full story
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This Labour government has not lost its "political antennae" - its political agenda from day one is the ruination of Britain, it now just doesn't think it needs to hide the fact.
Tony, UK Build a High Security, block of flats for those MP's staying over in the capital... rent free. The buildings, publicly owned, would abolish the need of rent allowance, and MP's houses bought at taxpayers expense.
Kelly M, Newcastle UK They never had antennae in the first place; the whole New Labour ethos was based on smoke & mirrors, otherwise spin. Maybe people will rubbish the Tories but at least they left us with a budget surplus in 1997, not the Trillion deficit in 2009.
Jerry Mander, London, England The government have been getting more out of touch with the people for years. It wasn't quite as noticeable when Tony Blair was at the helm, he had the charm, personality & most importantly the country was affluent. Since Mr Brown has been PM his fiscal policies have come back to bite him and he and the party appear to be clueless about how difficult things are when you don't live in London & are on a low income. It doesn't help that Mr Brown has the charm of a wet fish & can not make us swallow the party line.
Rebecca Bradbury, Exeter, UK Watching various news/political shows during the last couple of weeks, I'm astounded that most of the MPs still think that we are all fools. They make believe that the reforming of their allowance is what they want, and seem blind to the fact that if it wasn't for the uproar from we, the voters, they would be quite happy to carry on fleecing us. And yes they can go further with changes, they can derail the gravy train
Phil Roberts, Birmingham, UK No second home - I live just within commuting distance from my job but I get no second home. Being an MP is just a job - no reason for perks. Legitimate expenses only - lunch is NOT a legitimate expense. Jon Slack, Nottingham, Notts Is this Gordon Brown guy really the Prime Minister? I mean, are you sure it's not a mix-up, or joke, or something?
Mick Mahone, Halifax, UK Thank God for the free British press! They seem to do most of the probing.
Tom Smith, Northants, UK We were lied to about The War, The Economy, The Immigration, The EU, Please GO GB and Good Riddance.
Anita Okuekenu, London I presume Blunkett & Clarke will be switching to the torydems???
William Fletcher, Fareham The government lost the respect of the electorate years ago. The reputation of most politicians (of all parties) went the same way. Any creditable opposition party should be light-years ahead in the polls, not just 13%, so I'm afraid it's a question of picking the best of a very poor bunch.
Goodfornothing Gordon, Bristol I don't know about "losing their antennae", I think they lost their marbles ages ago! For me, as a lifelong Labour supporter, this bunch lost their credibility when they introduced university tuition fees (education, education, education) - this was then compounded by an illegal charge into a war of deception (they can bomb us within 14 hours); and the latest episode just shows how completely arrogant and out of touch they all are. I'm sorry to say it but the sooner they have gone the better.
Trev, Birmingham, UK The government is totally out of touch and is losing at every opportunity right now. I think we have to be careful with expenses and make sure that MPs are reimbursed so as to ensure that they are encouraged to do their job properly. Also need to make sure normal people can afford to become politicians. But that doesn't mean that they should not be accountable. MPs' expenses should only be paid on submission of a receipt. I also think there should be dedicated accommodation for MPs. Maybe they can have the same standard as our servicemen and women. No problem there then! Mick, Newbury Actually nothing has changed. All we've seen this last 11 years is a government who will say anything, promise anything and appease anyone - just so long as they can get and keep their grubby little fingers on the reins of power. No principles, no morals, no scruples - and now at last, thankfully, no hope of being re-elected.
H Sapiens, Milton Keynes The government should do us all a favour and stand down. They appear to have totally lost all credibility, all the money, trust and the plot
Dave, Chorley David Blunkett was as New Labour as they get. Funny, how he is backtracking out of office. He was gutless like most of the New Labour MPs who sanctioned the illegal war in Iraq. I hope a new progressive alliance emerges after the next election bringing together Greens and Socialist MPs in Labour.
John P, 682VIEWER I think that New Labour has run its course. It has done many good things for the country but its never good for any party to be in power for too long. But unlike the enthusiasm for Blair in 1997, I do not detect that the country are falling over themselves to elect Cameron. He is smooth but deep down a pretty right wing Tory who is not really in touch with mainstream Britain. We want change but we don't really trust Cameron. The centre of British politics has shifted to the left and, although the Tories will win, I don't think they will be in for long.
Richard Jenkins, London This government is an embarrassment in every way.
Tony Horler, Edinburgh Since Charles Clarke has stated that he is ashamed to be a Labour MP, may we hope that he will do the honourable thing and resign? Frankly, I can think of no politician of whom I am more ashamed.
Fairfax, Peterborough MPs' pay and expenses should be decided by the Public Service Pay Review Board, not by MPs. If they don't like the pay or expenses, they can find another job. As for Blunkett, you have to read between the lines. This is the start of the attempt by senior Labour figures to rescue the party from the death throes of Brown. Brown is a liability to Labour, and we will see a string of Labour figures calling for change, before a stalking horse emerges to challenge Brown, followed by the real contenders emerging. These will include Mandelson, Balls (yes, he'll stab Brown in the back if it gets him the leadership), Blears and Khan. The man I'd really like to see oust Brown, though, would be Blair. I don't suppose he'd do it - Brown's scorched earth policy makes the next PMs job a nightmare - but I'd love to see Blair repay Brown for shafting him and driving him from office.
Jim Parlett, Wiltshire, England I think all MPs and especially those in Labour should look back at the reasons they got into politics in the first place. Labour seem to have become part of the very bureaucratic wheel many stood to fight against. Brown seems to becoming a man of headlines and not substance and is tearing our democracy apart and will leave it in tatters.
Martin, Herts, UK. Undoubtedly lost their direction under Gordon Brown, it's past time for a change
Gordon, Darlington Like millions of others, I rejoiced when Labour won the 1997 Election. I remember driving to work on the morning after the result was declared, and thinking that, at last, the divisive policies which the Tories had foisted on us for 18 years would be, if not reversed, at least modified to give us a fairer society. It wasn't long before the disillusionment set in, and now 12 years later, we have a government which, if anything, is worse. Thank you Mr Brown & co, you have done what I thought was impossible, made the Tories look attractive.
Thomas, Inverurie, Scotland Its not just Brown... the whole pack of them are way out of their depth in managing this country, except perhaps Mandelson, who no doubt wishes he'd stayed in Brussels. The phrase 'rotting from the inside out' springs up frequently. Completely lost it in my view. What other disaster will happen before mid 2010 !
Tom Smith, Northants UK I hardly think Blunkett is the person to express these views. Of course, Labour has lost its way - the moment Tony Blair adopted Tory policies, the dye was cast. However, I still can't feel too excited about Cameron and Osborne taking over the reins. If only Vincent Cable would form his own party!
Mary Clarke, Seaford, UK Time's up. The Labour Party have become arrogant and complacent, are showing the same symptoms as the dying, overstaying Tory government, and about to use an array of misinterpreted statistics to further inflict their beliefs upon the nation. I am an instrumental voter and urge others to become one, but not to run the risk of a hung parliament.
Peter Hood, London 1 party country pretending to be a 3 party state. And a democratic 1 at that!! Why can it be up to the people what 'our' representatives get paid? Whoever attains power at the next election will change nothing. Like if the Tories were in power now blueLabour would be blaming them for this current crisis. Just like ancient Rome - unscrew the heads of the statues coz nothing changes. What would it take eh? Oh we can't do anything coz the police would beat us up. This is bad people x
Lost_mobile, Newcastle, UK It's quite hard to have faith in politicians who are so clearly self-serving - I do not expect selflessness, but the inbreeding of politics - and the social class that feeds into politics - is distressing. The expenses issues just highlights this - but in political appointments, laws, and all other parts of public life, it is so evident that cynicism is the only thing you can feel.
Erwynne, Wolverhampton Brown is hanging himself and his party. His is the only pitiful face of an incompetent government that we see in public digging an increasingly large hole for the whole lot of them. He clearly has no confidence in the ability of his ministers underlining the weakness of his cabinet. What he cannot see is that he is the weakest link, mistrusted and scorned, probably loathed, by a huge majority of the public. Hence a complete loss of confidence in the political system as a whole. It can only be mended when he goes but the death agonies in the meantime will be insufferable.
Eastender, London E14 If people think life would be better under David Cameron they are ill informed. Our schools, hospitals, public transport etc under the Tories were in a terrible state.
Peter, Northampton Brown is desperate to get some changes made to the expenses system *before* the full receipts are published in July. He knows just how bad it's going to be. He knows what's in those receipts and he thinks there going to be a massive outcry which will damage him further. (And he's probably right). So he has to take some action, anything, to mitigate what's about to happen, and then he has to claim credit for it. He knows he is very unpopular as a PM and he's desperately trying to demonstrate he's responsible for making decisions. But he repeatedly makes the wrong decisions. I think we've started to see the tip of the iceberg with the ridiculous expense claims made by Jacqui Smith. Watch this space. Peter Goldberg, Golders Green, London The problem with New Labour has always been that that it was about acquiring power and the perks and rewards of power. It was never about good government or serving the British people. Finally even hardened Labour voters are coming to realise that.
Colin Shepherd, Farnham, Surrey Anyone else think of a job where you vote for your own pay and your own expenses? Neither can I. If the CEO of the company I work for decided himself how much he gets there would be uproar in parliament. MPs are a bunch of self-serving, arrogant, megalomaniac, incompetent, morons.
I'mnotanumber I have seen the mention of lies on this page. However to be an accomplished liar it is essential to remember which lie you have said and to whom. Nu-Labour lack this memory ability.
Les Acres, Southampton, UK Brown's puerile obsession with doing down his opponents is his own undoing and is deeply damaging to the country. He must go.
Tom Norton, Eccleshall Labour are more interested in controlling everyone than running the country. No wonder there is dismay, not only in the electorate but from Labour MPs who will lose their seats in droves at the next election. Yes Labour has lost touch, but doesn't all Governments after a long time in power, the power goes to the head and that's when the control factor kicks in. Time to go Mr Brown, hand over to a younger leader and an election to follow, this rot is giving bad government and bad legislation. An ex-Labour voter.
Harry, UK New Labour is dead, let's get it buried and forgotten. Let's have a Government that has some interest in the welfare of all the people in the UK, not just the fortunate few.
John Gibson, Harrogate, UK In the second half of their rule, they were obsessed with goals, figures, numbers; they lost the common sense. They resorted to spin too often, and they believed their own spin. They were obsessed with pleasing every minority focus group in an effort to secure their votes. They assumed that the majority's support is granted. With Tony Blair, we had a leader. With Brown, we have three leaders: Brown, Harmann, and Smith. I will be very happy to see the back of them lot.
Mustafa Yorumcu, London Labour cannot lose something that did not exist in the first place. It has taken an awful long time, but I suspect that a majority of the British people can now see Labour for what it is. It's a case of "The Kings New Clothes".
John Ball, Bristol MPs should not get expenses or allowances for second homes. Most of us don't get any "extras" - everything has to come out of our basic salary which is a lot less than theirs. Gordon Brown isn't trying to change the expenses situation on moral grounds or because it is the right thing to do, but because the party has been shamed into it (much like the Gurkha situation!) The public should vote on whether or not to pay their expenses, not MPs themselves. If they weren't so extravagant with taxpayers' money, perhaps the country wouldn't be in so much debt.
Maria James, Mitcham It is a great pity Labour MPs have taken so long to speak out. They have allowed the "Nu-Labour" gang to hi-jack the Labour Party to the point few know what it really stands for. In some respects it's further right than Margaret T, and they allowed banks to run govt. Democracy is wishful thinking in the UK with GB in charge.
Eddie, Notts Labour have lost the plot, and are not fit for purpose - ie not fit to run this country.
Misay, UK What inflated egos they all have. Self serving money grabbing carpet baggers. They forget that we the people have the power. Why is Mr Blunkett et al now wringing their hands?? Elections? Not give a damn about us before. Case of rats and ships Me Hearties
Jeremy Hannaford, Solihull Nu Labour lost its way the moment Gordon Brown took over as leader. He is a very poor leader, has no idea how to communicate, is dictatorial rather than consultative, does not inspire those around him and the list goes on. Combine this with a weak and uninspired team that has run out of moral authority, inspiration and ideas and you have the current government. They should have the good grace to call an election now for the greater good of the country.
Tony Welch, Dorset The position on MPs' expenses seems simple to me. Expense claims are a way to get back money you have spent to do your job. If they incur extra costs to do their jobs (for example if they have to maintain 2 homes at their own expense), they should be reimbursed for it. However, if they don't incur the cost, they should not get the cash "back". Making an expense claim when you haven't spent the money is no better than tax avoidance, or benefit fraud.
James D, Manchester, England The No 10 petition says it all about this current government and its leadership. Brown is a lame duck PM whom it transpires was really a lame duck chancellor who sold this country down the river.
Yanto, Britainnot great For heaven's sake - can we stop playing politics - we have a financial crisis and a potential pandemic for the govt to concentrate on, so back off Cameron, Clarke and Blunkett and let us get on with what matters at the moment - the time for petty bickering will come again but it is not now!
Nic, London When we have Labour MPs ashamed of being such then the answer is a no brainer.
Tom, UK It's not just Labour, it's all politicians. Unfortunately for Labour they are in the hot seat because they are the government. The problem with Brown is that whatever he says, he doesn't come across well and you sense there is little substance behind the facade. The problem for all of us is - there isn't anyone that can provide the real depth, substance and leadership we need at the moment.
Cliff, Brighton, UK If MPs need a place to stay whilst 'working' in London; then why don't we have an MPs 'halls of residence' type place? It would be cheaper and they could all work and live together.
Ay, Northants I'm afraid that whilst the media is good at some stories it is always very cynical when it comes to politicians and this in turn in spread to the public. The media spins stories just as much as the government.
Peter, Northampton This government lost the plot a long time ago, but looking at the smug expression on GB's face when telling the nation about his new proposals for the expenses, he has absolutely no idea that he is the only person in the country who thinks he is doing a great job as PM. He's a bit sad really.
Kate Anderson, Lougborough, Leics Labour was always broadcasting on the same channel, the voters switched their political antennae some time back and will probably not tune into Labour again for at least 20 years! Brown never had any authority to govern the UK, his character and tactics are being drip fed to us daily in the media and the voters are disgusted and sickened by Labour's antics, change is long overdue
Richard de Gerber, Kingston upon Thames There's no such thing as old fashioned politics anymore. All they're interested in is number one, make the rules themselves, then milk the system dry. Unless there's a complete clearout, including Gordon Brown, Labour are dead and buried for years to come.
Mel, Derby It's been clear for a long time that Labour have no idea what the voters want. The reason is simple - they are so convinced they are right and they know best that they cannot comprehend the idea of someone having a different viewpoint. Trouble is (for them at least) that most of the country has a different viewpoint to them.
Justin Credible Once again "politics" is getting in the way of running the country efficiently. We need a new system of democracy - time to bone up on Plato's Republic methinks.
Derek Ruskin, Menith Wood, Worcestershire I wonder what the next 'new' Labour blunder will be! Never underestimate the stupidity of the stupid.
Steve Benning, London I have never known a Prime Minister so out of touch with society. The abuse of second homes by some prominent MPs is simply a disgrace. How can the house in your constituency where your family lives, possibly be classed as a second home. My only hope is he has the honour to call a general election, sooner rather than later.
Atomtrasher, Lowestoft If Blunkett and Clark are so disillusioned with their leader - and as it seems so are many others who are too frightened to say what they think for fear of losing their seat at the next election - why don't they put forward asking for a vote of confidence in their leader? The truth will out.
John, Wits I think we should wait for the report to come out. MPs need a base in London because they work long hours. Gordon Brown, as usual, thinks he knows best.
J1Copleston, UK This is yet another demonstration of the fact that Labour is fragmented and finally starting to fall apart. Their wave of credit, which both Blair and Brown rode over the last decade has gone, and will probably bring about the biggest recession in history. I think MPs and the public alike are finally starting to wake up to the fact that Labour's tactics of throwing money at anything or introducing new legislation to tackle issues haven't worked. It's time for someone to have the guts to take the bull by the horns and take some unpopular choices, and damn the do-gooders who protest in their wake. They will never please everyone - the majority will do thank you!
Michael Frotcher, Camberley, UK Maybe if everyone wrote to their MP and informed them that if they insist on keeping these outrageous expenses they won't get your vote?
David Stuckey, Stevenage, UK Seeing as life and the problems associated with an emergent society are always changing, you can't just throw things into 2 categories "Labour" and "Conservative" The 2 party system has absolutely no meaning so it doesn't matter what Labour do. Both parties are exactly the same so there is no point debating it.
Tim Bayliss, St Albans How can this be out of touch when there's nothing to be in touch with. Britain is fragmented, opinions change rapidly and strong opinions are now pounced upon for fear of offending someone. Society needs clear aims and ideas before the governement can
Owen, Bristol, Avon There is a huge political vacuum in this country. No faith in politics and politicians and what will happen in the more deprived areas will see the increase in influence of the likes of the BNP. So don't sit there open mouthed when it happens because were all guilty of it Tony Wilson, Corfe Mullen Dorset This Labour government doesn't stand a chance of being re-elected into government unless it sacks PM Brown. David, Bracknell I think the people should decide what the government get, after all we are paying their salaries and the majority voted them in power. How could anyone give themselves a wage rise. How could they decide if they get to keep their expenses or not. This is a shambles
William Nugent, Dundee, Scotland The only mistake is letting MPs vote for their own working conditions, that is something that has to be done by an independent body. As for Charles Clarke he was obviously worried that he was going to lose some of his freebies. It's the whole structure of Parliament ( both houses ) that is all wrong. No good blaming only one party, they all have their noses in the trough.
Charles Kane, Kirkcaldy Oh for crying out loud! Will everyone please stop moaning, and express some gratitude that Gordon Brown at least has the guts to investigate and try to restrict MPs' expenses. Of course there are some loathsome MPs who think they can live like kings, but at least their fraudulent behaviour is being exposed and challenged.
Malcolm Sutherland, Skelmorlie, UK You could say a government that has made an astonishing mess of the running the banks, has lost its way ... but it is nothing new, the Labour Party made a similar mess of things in the 1970s. Least this time while they may have bankrupt the country, the dead are still getting buried. Fraser, Kilmarnock This is not helped by Charles Clarke who criticised Damian McBride's behaviour rather than the arrogance and deception that led to McBride acting in the way he did. Rather than changing course to avoid the rocks, Labour is just arguing about how fast it should travel towards them!
Wannago, Preston The problem here is that politicians have little to fear - even if they are caught out. What this country needs is a oversight group that the politicians are truly terrified of, if they can use fear against us to make us agreeable and pliant, we can do the same.
DS Labour achieved a lot of good things under Blair but these days I have no idea what the party stand for. It seems that, like the Tories, all they want to do is cling on to power for the sake of it. Brown has been very unlucky, but he isn't helping himself much.
Waggers, Hampshire Is anyone really surprised that they refused to vote yes on stopping their very own licence to print money? I'm certainly not I think it was naive of Brown to think they would which just shows how out of touch this whole government is.
Mikkey, Gravesend Blunkett? Wasn't he sacked and / or resigned in disgrace? Is this the man who used public funds to court & transport a married woman? Forget political antennae - we should be concentrating on Neo Labour's moral antennae.
Righty Right Wing (Mrs), England Politicians voting on their own scam expenses is like giving the central fund to them to share out amongst themselves which is what they do now.
Robert Mere, Newcastle, England I remember being elated when Labour got in after years of suffering the Conservatives. They will soon leave office and the Conservatives will be back!? Why do we keep playing ping-pong with these two useless parties, and how do they get away with making false promises? P.S. My second home is work !
Mike Gravy, Manchester, England Labour, actually, has never had its political antennae.
KB, Oxford Let's put Parliament on a proper business-like footing, at last. Solution = reduce number of MPs by 50%, have them work at HoC 9am - 6pm Tues -Thurs with Mon & Fri in their constituency. Build a block of 320 1-bed apartments in walking distance of HoC for them to stay in when at Westminster. Pay a good salary linked to a high civil service grade (£120k p.a.??), expenses paid as per a FTSE 100 company. No extra-curricular paid work. All HoC and constituency staff on public payroll. Constituency office becomes a permanent state-owned asset used by whoever the sitting MP is regardless of party.
Richard Lancaster, London, UK The Blairites are showing their colours now. You would think that Charles Clarke and David Blunkett would have been more ashamed about invading Iraq (under what can best be said as false pretences).
MarkW, Dublin Anyone that believed Blair's spin that "Things can only get better" in 97 must be feeling like a complete mug right now. Labour's political antennae was never anything more than trying to say what they thought people wanted to hear, and not taking the tough and often unpopular decisions that true leadership requires. Once again Labour leave the country bankrupt, depressed and demoralised. The only achievement being to prove beyond any doubt Labour is incompetent to govern, lets hope this is the end of Labour for ever.
Cliff Nicholls, Chester, UK Firstly, this is not Labour, it is New Labour, despite how they might like to hijack the brand. They are no different to any other political party and we need to be voting on issues not for these thieving, lying useless "representatives".
Edward James, Southport I see the e-petition calling for Gordon Brown to resign has reached 40,000 signatures and counting. I can think of no other leaders who can have had such an obvious vote of disapproval while in power. Too late to draw any lines in the sand now, or heal self-inflicted wounds. "When in hole, stop digging" Time for this government to go, before they are out of power for a decade.
Shining Light, Northampton Do we honestly need 646 MPs, with all the expenses and salaries that this number brings? We could get by equally well with say 50 MPs made up proportionally by how many people vote for each party. 646 is far too many.
Cath, Woking I have been disappointed by Labour's handling of the 10p tax issue, the MPs' expenses issue, the Gurkhas rights to live in the UK and Labour's handling of the economy. However, although overall economic inequality has changed little since 1997, Labour has done things to reduce the growth of economic inequality which seems to occur naturally in capitalist economies. The Tories' tax and social security policies 1979-97 actually added to economic inequality rather than mitigated it, leading to a significant increase in poverty. I support the new 50p tax rate and shall still be supporting Labour but hoping for better from them.
R.Haggar, Norwich The Government has gone rotten. Those at the top are weak and flawed in the main, so confidence is lost. They've been there so long they've forgotten why they came.
Dan, Kent The issue should not be whether the Labour Party has lost its political antennae. But what has gone wrong with most of the people elected to offices to represent the citizens. The amount of false dossiers, failed polices be it in Iraq or elsewhere, misguided economic course of action (rooted in greed), and currently some elected officials continuously corruptly enriching themselves. Any organisation or political party that exhibits these kinds of traits for a lengthy period of time, had not only lost its antennae, but could also be argued, to be morally bankrupt. The Labour Party needs to clean and rinse up its acts now, otherwise some of its early achievements would be dwarfed by these negative trend
Gerald Alor, Leicester, UK "Losing antennae" just means Brown is not as an accomplished at hoodwinking people as Blair was. I despair of Cameron being any better. Something more radical needs to change than faces on the front-bench.
Merlin Cox, London, UK I don't think NuLab has ever listened or bothered to think about the real problems of people down here on earth. Its antennae broke when Tony Blair decided to steer original Labour into Tory territory and to blazes with those people it used to represent.
Dane Aubrun, Brighton, Sussex The government should build a 500 bed Travelodge for use by MPs when they are at Westminster and only pay for travel and meal expenses, with receipts, at capped allowances. The construction and operation of a Travelodge would provide jobs and the capped expenses would prevent the immoral and shameless expense claims and MPs lining their own pockets.
Steven Dakers, Monifieth, Angus David Blunkett is the epitome of the failed Labour party. Disgraced whilst in office, he doesn't deserve to be listened to now. Politics will now forever be tainted with greed, and the men of principle are forever gone from the labour movement. John, Workington True about Blunkett, but also wasn't Mandelson disgraced twice - now he is the un-elected spokesman for business? In Labour honour means nothing and past misdemeanours are rewarded. Steve, Oldham Why is it that every other public sector worker has a pay deal imposed on them by INDEPENDENT pay review bodies, and yet, uniquely, we allow MPs to set their own pay and allowances. This has to stop.
Ian, Carlisle, UK Allowances already exist as set by the Inland Revenue. Homes owned by constituency, not MP. White goods allowance would seem reasonable provided it covered mid range items from a mid priced store. What's happening at the moment is a poorly disguised attempt at sleight of hand to make it look like they have given up so much when the core and their friends are still protected. This last sentence also works with the recession, Iraq, New Labour and, well almost everything Blair and Brown have done to (not for) this country.
Paul, London After ten years 'Things can only get better' still applies. The only difference is that we all now know that Labour isn't the party to put that into practice.
Phil, Liverpool They should simply buy a hotel near the House and any MP who lives far outside London could stay there overnight for a nominal fee. There is no need for any expenses allowance.
Charles Mouncey, Bury St. Edmunds, England Personally, I think New Labour lost the plot before 1997. But Gordon Brown is completely out of touch with people. There is only one way to get back in touch and that is to have an election. Ask the people.
Sam Wyzsynski, Colchester I almost feel sorry for Gordon Brown. He's taken over from a guy who, whatever your political/personal views, was a very good public speaker. He's got a opposition leader who, though a personality vacuum, is a good public speaker. He's been clobbered for a global recession that, again whatever your personal views, he wasn't the cause of. To top it all off he's being blamed for things that have been wrong for decades like MP expenses and the Gurkhas poor treatment. Any PM would be in trouble with that lot on their plate.
Colin Walker, Cardiff Labour have completely lost it... They are now more right wing than the Conservatives... And clueless even in that... They do not seem to have a clue what is happening in the real world... We are seriously in need of a new form of government that stops us bouncing back between these outdated philosophies when the government gets so delusional that it becomes obvious to the least political of us that something is VERY VERY WRONG
Boyd, London As someone intimated, this is more the case of one party being in too long and things just beginning to crumble around them as "events, dear boy, events" take their course. It happened to the Tories previously and will doubtless happen to whoever takes power for a long period next time; their eventual collapse accompanied by exactly the same cries of betrayal and disillusionment we have now.
CSD, Benfleet, Essex The Government has lost control - it will be painful to fix. Expectation is too high - it will be painful and upset many. Cuts and savings must be made. Gordon Brown is not the answer and it is pitiful that he is prolonging the start to progress. Please go.
Jack Gorrod, Bradford I was a member of the Labour Party and worked to get them elected in 97 and had great hopes. No more, I am totally disillusioned and resigned from the party years ago. Where is honest caring social democracy now? Just greed and egotism, very depressing. MPs should not have 2nd homes, put them in a clean hostel, that's all they need.
Lynzzy, Stockport, UK I have never felt angrier with a government than I do now. Left wing ideology is being used instead of common sense to make decisions. Quite a few of the decisions the government have made over the past year seem either pointless, waste of money or are morally bankrupt. I wish I had the time and space to list them in this comment. I really wish that the UK had a multi-party system. The problem with a two party system is when the other party is also dreadful, who is there left to vote for? I'm positive this is why we have seen the proportion of the general public who vote fall from one election to the next!
Will Barrar, London I'm no great fan of the Labour party in its current state, but I'm fed up of hearing from people who clearly can't be bothered to study or educate themselves on our system of government. You don't vote for the leader you vote for the party! You vote for the policy! You get whoever the members happen to elect as party leader. You can't moan now when you made this possible by voting in '97, '01 and '05!
Will, Manchester Hate is not a strong enough word for what I personally think of Labour. I find their current existence as a political entity offensive to every single decent British person who has suffered under their regime. Call an election and lets be done with the bally lot of them
Michael S Hearn, Stevenage Hertfordshire If what I'm hearing about the Freedom of Information requests on expenses is correct we are in for a shock in July.
Na Breithne, London Taahhhhn, UK Bit strong attacking his leader, but still what do you expect from a party that's completely lost it - looks to me like panic stations all round. I can still hear the cries 'We want Tony, we want Tony', well you had him and what a mess - bye bye pensions, bye bye gold, bye bye freedoms, bye bye house, grand kids future, large sum to pay off. Isn't it time for an election?
Graham New, Portugal I belong to no political party and in the past voted for who I thought would do best for the country. This did not include Blair and even less Brown. I trust no politician to do what's right.
David, Nottingham Neither Charles Clarke nor David Blunkett have ever had any liking for Gordon Brown - so why is everybody hanging on their latest attacks on Gordy?
Dominic Stockford, Teddington, UK My second home allowance rules: 1. The public own them, so all profits and losses from disposal go belong to the public purse. 2. Create 2 zones, an outer and an inner. Inner zone MPs who can travel to London are not eligible for second homes. 3. They can be shared. So when an MP is on holiday, another MP (including inner zone MPs) can use the property. 4. Furnishing are at a standard package, functional. 5. Household bills are paid on a daily pro-rata basis. Bob Biryani, London, UK What "political antennae"? Would that be the same antennae that said it was a good move to remove the 10p tax band?
Graeme Pirie, Nuneaton UK I no longer have confidence in MPs from any party. We have been let down badly by New Labour and the Conservatives will be the next with their noses in the trough. We have been let down by banks and pension providers. Where do the people of this country put their faith?
Gloria, Manchester, England Well, well, NuLabour has found a comedian. Blunkett giving advice on how to behave. The pot calling the kettle black.
Peter Marton, Middlesbrough, North Yorks, UK I think New Labour have a lot of things to be disappointed about, but let's not forget that it was Gordon Brown who pushed through things like national minimum wage (which the Tories opposed) and the climate change bill. I think the party could still pull it together, but they need to stop limiting civil liberties and listen more to the people. What I have no doubt about is that David Cameron will do a much worse job. He leads an elitist party whose main focus (although cleverly covered up with good PR)i s to benefit the rich. Even if you don't like Gordon Brown, there are still many Labour MPs who will always stand for social and environmental justice (which doesn't mean communism) and who have more integrity than the whole Conservative pPrty between them.
Luke Gibson, Macclesfield All politicians are only concerned about "the people" insofar as they can persuade enough of us to vote for their lies instead of their opponent's lies. To that end they must pretend to listen to and care about us. This govt. has for some time been displaying the hubris and arrogance shown by EVERY govt. that has held power for too long. Our political masters have come to believe that they have a divine right to rule and so they think they no longer have to even pretend to take us into account. They will come unstuck at the next election but, depressingly, ultimately their replacements will be no different.
Paul, Fife A morally bankrupt politician tells the morally bankrupt leader of a morally bankrupt party that it is morally bankrupt! Now I am worried!
Col, Almeria, Spain The trouble is the longer you are in power the more can go and will go wrong. Despite what people may think, Labour haven't been the worst govt in history, they've just been around for a long time. I'm not anti-Labour, but I do think it's time for a change in govt. Whatever Labour do now they can do no right.
Nick, Watford, UK I think this is just the final straw. People started to lose confidence in the Government years ago. War in Iraq based on a lie, increasing taxes, failing services, sleaze, incompetence, unelected leader and now they've been found to be rooting from the tough! Can you blame us for not trusting them?
Rob, Ramsgate, United Kingdom I agree he should draw a line in the sand. A very big & deep one. Then he should jump into it!
Adrian Philips, Camberley, Surrey DB is right to advise the government at this time. If only they will listen. This seems to be a problem for government in general, the Tories completely lost touch by the end of the eighties and never really regained it since!
Rob Kehoe, London Blunkett was as big a disaster as Brown... Time to get rid of the lot of them.Bring back Maggie, that's what I say!
Charles Binns, Broxbourne Oh come on, can anyone point out anything that Labour has achieved since '97 that wasn't just spin and fiddling statistics? No thought not. Labour's authority disappeared in '98 but sadly too many people just wouldn't accept the truth. All they have done is destroy the country and now they'll be off to their post-govt cushy jobs or write books just like Bliar. So much for 'No more reward for failure'!!
Nick Not only have they have they lost their political antennae, they have lost their moral compass, their authority, their credibility and almost certainly the next election.
Adrian Philips, Camberley, Surrey Gordon Brown doesn't have antennae - he has a "great clunking fist" - remember Blair's words ?
Martin, Trowbridge, UK This parliament has been the worst on record with none of the main parties able to put a decent team together. No one has had the courage to really challenge the out of control executive populated by incompetents. If this was a board of directors they would have been sacked a long time ago. Still they've given away so much to Europe as did Blair, it's probably a waste of time worrying about it!! Please, please let the people decide who governs us NOW!
Mike H, Worthing England There have only been a few instances of abuse of expenses; remember there are nearly 700 MPs and the vast majority are upstanding and well serving individuals. Let's not tar them all with the same brush. However, Gordon Brown does seem to be losing any direction in government, any authority within his own party, and any credibility in the eyes of the public as he just staggers from one failed headline grabbing initiative to the other. I think David Cameron has demonstrated the right kind of leadership and shown he can make the right snap decisions when needed.
Tim, Edinburgh, Great Britain Any respect I had for Gordon Brown has completely disappeared. He is completely out of touch with the public (especially in respect of the Ghurkhas), never listens to his advisers and, it seems, thinks that he is always right and everyone else (i.e. the entire population) is wrong. I'm just surprised that Labour MPs haven't dethroned him. Bring on the general election!
Sue Hudson, London, England Rats and sinking ships come to mind - or perhaps the 'emperor's new clothes'. It has always been clear to me that New Labour was a con-trick. Blair was put in as the acceptable face of socialism whilst behind the scenes Brown and co pursued the most socialist programme this country has ever seen, and with absolutely no mandate to do that. Chickens (or perhaps swine) are now coming home to roost
Euan Hall, Warrington, England Yet again another fudge on the MP allowances, when will these politicians start living in the real world. That's to say the world that the tax payer has to!!!
Derek, Birmingham, England I seriously hope that the Tories or the Lib Dems, or whoever gets in, have read some of these posts so that they know how the populace feels, otherwise we're just out of the frying pan, into the fire. Philip, Essex Another architect of the failures we are experiencing collectively. New Labour loved the City, PFI initiatives, police state intrusion, illegal wars and all the rest, which are deplorable. All share the blame and all will fall.
Tony, Culross, Fife if Clarke and Blunkett are so ashamed of Labour - either resign or cross the house to another party - strikes me their ego's mean they want to be in the news! MPs should be treated the same as people in the private sector. I would be sacked from my job if I fiddled my expenses. Double Standards!!!!
Andy, London Win or U-turn, it does not matter. What does matter is that this one again shows that ALL our politicians are just as bad as one another when it comes to creaming off our tax money. Not surprised that so many do not bother to vote.
Michael McIver, Hastings, England Hold on a minute! I want our MPs to set their salaries, then we can watch them squirm on Question Time, trying to justify their existence and salary. Just think what it would mean were they not to set their own salary. It would mean another abdication of responsibility to another unelected quango. No let's ensure that MPs are always held accountable by making sure they set their pay and answer to us for it.
Steve, Ascot What Brown needs to do is show leadership and bite back at the people in his own party that are jockeying for position in case they lose the next election, and those people jockeying for position should realise that the British public will see though their tactics so every snide little comment they make is shooting themselves in the foot. What happened to Labour's teeth? When they first came to power, their MPs were so scared of Blair and Alistair Campbell that they were bullied into voting for the disastrous and unfair university tuition fees against the wishes of their constituents, the party leadership was that fearsome!
Oll, Woolsey, UK And so have you Mr Blunkett... and so have you! Don't you just get fed up of politicians trying to get our attention in this way. Maybe if Mr Blunkett, and other MPs, had any backbone they will go into the heart of communities and sort out the mess they have put us all in.
Ias, London, England What is needed is a complete reform. The public have lost confidence not just in our government but in our political system as demonstrated by the pitiful election turnouts of the past few years, the amount of hypocrisy shown by all the parties over and over again on a daily basis is beyond a joke. Give us a "none of the above" option on ballot papers and I'm sure the turn out would be more like 99%. The amount of corruption in our political parties isn't even super ceded by the bankers who have brought the world to its knees through their greed. The courts and Inland Revenue should enforce the same expenses policies that others have to use on these cheats, liars and thieves who seem to have forgotten who is in charge. They Work For Us! Being in politics should be a privilege not a right. Viva the Revolution!
Andrew, Coventry Why doesn't Charles Clarke book himself into an asylum or is this going to become the next longest sulk in political history. If this is a bid to become the leader after the next election he's not a hope in hell. I'm ashamed he's a Labour MP
Tony Crossland, Wigan
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