This Fraudsters' Parliament -12

There is hope for the future of parliamentary democracy in the UK! I have just read an article in the Coventry Telegraph which reported on a 14 year old querying Estelle Morris on her expenses claims!

Surely I cannot be the only taxpaying citizen voter in the UK who wonders why a 14 year old citizen is asking such necessary questions when the parliamentary authorities charged with protecting us from fraudulent MPs appear to prefer to adopt the role of the traditional three wise monkeys;-

Hearing no talk of fraud by MPs!

Seeing no fraud by MPs!

Speaking of no fraud be MPS!


Check out the article yourself  by clicking on the link below;


http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2010/01/18/baroness-estelle-morris-quizzed-over-expenses-by-coventry-kids-92746-25625883/2/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom


The young person concerned may well enter politics in the future! Let us hope that by then we, as taxpaying citizen voters, have taught ALL our politicians, irrespective of political party or seniority, that their role is to work for the benefit of the taxpaying citizen voters of this country and not for the benefit of their personal bank accounts. It will be a necessary lesson - long overdue!

I thought you would be interested in the 'Seven Principles of Public Life' which, believe it or not, applies to ALL MPs in this parliament. I found the text on the parliamentary standards website!!!


'THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE




SELFLESSNESS


Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.






INTEGRITY


Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.






OBJECTIVITY


In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.






ACCOUNTABILITY


Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.






OPENNESS


Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.






HONESTY


Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.






LEADERSHIP


Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.






These principles apply to all aspects of public life. The Committee(Standards -my note!) has set them out here for the benefit of all who serve the public in any way.'

My question is:

Has anyone told MPs about these principles? Can any of those MPs now claim that their fiddles, scams and frauds were 'within the rules'?

Feel free to comment!