UK’s Widespread “Expenses” Scandal

“Shame” has permeated the UK Parliament as the full extent of the so-called “expenses scandal” becomes widely known.

And I’m just sorry I’ve not been able to blog about it in the last month as the events have unfolded.

The ezine Slate has done a great job detailing why this scandal matters. While it resembles the early-90s check-bouncing scandal in the U.S. in how widespread it has touched the legislative branch, what is particularly damaging is the details of what MPs thought they could get the taxpayer to reimburse them for – from church donations to teddy bears to mortgages for homes they don’t really use. And every day there are new details, little dribs and drabs creating new outrages.

This might be the last straw for Gordon Brown and the Labour Party. Recent polls show they have fallen to their lowest poll ratings in decades, if not history, and the LibDems may outrun them in the next general election – while third parties like the Greens and the UKIP may benefit at this week’s European Parliament elections.

And from the sounds of it, this couldn’t happen to a more deserving crowd of entitlement-seeking hypocrites. It’s just unfortunate that Cameron’s Conservatives, equally guilty in the scandal, may benefit from the first-past-the-post system of rewarding the party out front – which so far are the Tories.