If anyone was to ask what the defining political debate of the moment is, it would be hard for them to answer anything other than MP's expenses.
Personally, I am not in favour of larger salaries and an end to expenses. I think we need more openness, but the need for a second home is fundamentally sound and there should be an allowance for it. However, this has been abused by some and they should be punished for doing so.
But others have said this already. The truth is that, sadly for bloggers and pundits of all types, there is not much new to be said after two and a half weeks of coverage, beyond yet more expressions of astonishment at the crassness of some of our elected representatives.
Elsewhere on ConHome, today, Tim Montgomerie has written on Michael Gove's desire to
see more children learn British history in our schools. I read history at university and believe it to be invaluable in applying the lessons of the past to the present. By chance, an email arrived in my inbox over the weekend concerning Oliver Cromwell, that united these two strands of thought on MP's expenses and the light that history can shine.
Oliver Cromwell, like me, used to live in
Ely. Unlike me, he had something new to say when faced with the sight of MP's gorging themselves on the contents of the public purse.
Oliver Cromwell's Speech on the Dissolution of the Long Parliament
Given to the House of Commons
20 April 1653
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth? Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices?
Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!
