The rich rewards of official failure

First, we saw last week how greedy MPs, those supposed guardians of the public purse, shamelessly continue to feather their own nests by blocking reform of their bloated and unchecked expenses  -  this when their constituents are suffering real economic pain.

The Houses of Parliament - where blunders result in bonuses

But it isn't just politicians making free with taxpayers' money. Civil servants are jumping on the gravy train too. Despite a string of blunders, they were paid a staggering £128million in performance bonuses last year.

Of course it wasn't meant to be like this. Bonuses were originally intended to encourage and reward the talented, hardworking officials who undoubtedly exist in Whitehall. And if the system really worked that way, nobody could object.

But just look at how our money is spent. The biggest bonuses  -  worth £41million  -  were given to that palace of administrative ineptitude the Ministry of Defence, which wastes billions while our troops struggle by on poor pay, rotten accommodation and inadequate kit.

And what about the bungling HM Revenue & Customs, which picked up bonuses of £19million?

What of the unimpressive Department of Culture, Media and Sport (£36million)? Or the shambolic Child Support Agency (£3.7million)?

It's bad enough when banks and big City institutions reward the boardroom buffoons whose mistakes damage our economy. But at least they're not spending public money. And they have to answer to shareholders.

To whom does our political establishment answer? Officials prosper when their departments are a disgrace. Moneygrubbing MPs hold voters in contempt. The country is indifferently run and stumbling from bad to worse.

Public opinion matters not a jot. A widening chasm, indeed.

Stealing a march

For countless families clobbered by ever-higher prices, the Tory plan for a 'fair fuel stabiliser' must seem a matter of simple common sense.

There has always been resentment over sky-high taxes on fuel, which present the Treasury with huge windfalls when the cost of of crude oil goes up.

So wouldn't it smooth out uncomfortable fluctuations if the Government taxed a little less less when the price of a barrel soars and a little extra when it falls?

Whether this system would really be revenue neutral, as Shadow Chancellor George Osborne claims, may be open to question. And the green lobby will no doubt argue that the Tory proposals encourage our reliance on fossil fuels.

But for motorists who are hurting here and now, they will surely seem an elegant solution. Once again, Mr Osborne has stolen a march on Alistair Darling.

Would it surprise anyone if the Chancellor eventually responds with a similar scheme of his own?

Wimbledon magic

What a tournament. What a final.

We thrilled to Andy Murray's fightback. We cheered as Laura Robson became our first British Wimbledon singles champion in 24 years. And what can we say about last night's titanic struggle between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer?

The battle fought out before a passionate, informed, appreciative crowd, was Wimbledon at its best. And an example of how magical true sport can be.