The Distance Widens

I am still somewhat in shock at what is going on with regard to Michael Martin, the Springburn MP and Speaker of the House.

I agree, somewhat, that his alleged crimes are not as heinous as some that have gone before but they arouse enough suspicion that questions deserve to be asked and, as much as MPs may not like it, answers deserve to be given.

Claiming £17,000 for a home with no mortgage is simply wrong.

Receving £8,000 a year just for using your home as an office is clearly excessive.

Your wife spending £4,000 on taxi rides looks very iffy indeed.

Using air-miles earned on the public purse for private trips is at best a little bit cheeky.

But the most depressing part of the grubby affair is the applause and cheering that Martin received when he entered Parliament.

How does this look from the outside? An MP is seemingly caught with his nose in the trough and the people who ask perfectly valid questions are accused of starting a witch-hunt!? Gordon Brown himself vigorously defends the man and then he gets a big cheer for no apparent reason.

And while they are all scratching each others backs our interest in UK Politics fades away just a little bit more. Very, very depressing stuff indeed...