Book description
The revelations over MPs expenses that began in May 2009 ranged
from petty thieving to outright fraud and sparked a crisis in
confidence unprecedented in modern times. This was a 21st-century
Peasants Revolt, an uprising of the people against the political
class. Ordinary men and women with political views across the
spectrum were by turns amused, incredulous, shocked and then bitterly
angry as the disclosures on MPs expenses flooded out. From Home
Secretary Jacqui Smith's bath plug to Conservative MP Sir John
Butterfil's flipping of his constituency home,a now-notorious
manoeuvre that required him to refund £60,000 to the taxpayer, the
exposure of MPs expenses revealed Westminster's culture of quiet
corruption as never before. Drawing on his experience as an MP and as
a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Martin Bell
explains how the expenses crisis arose and, most compellingly, lays
out his prescription for healing the deep wounds inflicted by the
scandal. As Martin puts it:The revolution will not be complete until
all the rogues in the House are gone and public confidence in the MPs
remaining is restored. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to revive British politics, and the rebuilding starts here.
Martin Bell is a UNICEF ambassador, independent politician and
former war reporter.
