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Gordon Brown: Expenses scandal is 'scar on democracy'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor5 Feb 2010
Gordon Brown admitted that the MPs expenses scandal had been a “scar” on British democracy today as he warned that only a radical overhaul of Parliament would quell the public's anger.
Speaking for the first time since yesterday's report on the saga, the Prime Minister said reforming the voting system and cleaning up Commons expenses were now vital.
“We have taken the action necessary to clean up politics, but I am determined now to reconnect Parliament and the public, to bring politics back to the people. It's their Parliament, not ours,” he said. “This expenses scandal has been a scar on democracy and has done great damage to the reputation of parliament. We are putting the discredited old system behind us and I want to see the new system in place as soon as possible.”
Mr Brown said that his plans to replace the first-past-the-post system with an “alternative vote”, which requires candidates to get a majority of the votes in their constituency, would be a big step towards “reconnecting” electors and the elected.
This week he announced plans for a referendum on electoral reform. The proposal would come into force at the election after next. “We have got to show people we have learnt lessons from this Parliamentary expenses scandal. Parliament has got to improve itself and I think improve its relationship with the people.
“If an MP is elected by more than 50 per cent of the vote, that gives him or her a better mandate than they have at the moment.”
Mr Brown has repaid more than £13,723 in his own expenses in the past year. His second home cleaning costs between 2004 and 2009 exceeded a £2,000 a year cap imposed by Sir Thomas Legg, who audited MPs' expenses.
Reader views (12)
pot and kettle spring to mind Gormless Gordon!
- Mike Adams, taunton, 06/02/2010 14:43
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Gordon was always good at saying the right thing , pity he never took it further and did the right thing
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 06/02/2010 11:46
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"scar on democracy"? are we talking about the HOUSE of LORDS ?
- Fred, London, 06/02/2010 10:24
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It happened under your watch. Only about 200 MPs have noting to pay back, they did nothing wrong in the first place. They are the truly Honourable Members, no one else.
- Frank, Bournemouth, England, 06/02/2010 10:02
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Brown seems to forget that his party ruined Britain with his weak fiscal policy and his non existent immigration policy.
- The Woll, Pinner, 05/02/2010 21:40
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1997 New Labour took the seat of Office, they should of done something sooner, but like the rest they kept there mouth shut.
To all who fiddled while Rome burned.... shame on you.
As for the Telegraph ..... THANK YOU
- John ., Scarborough N.Yorkshire,England. U.K., 05/02/2010 17:10
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The biggest "scar" on democracy has been his party's ruination of a once great country! When is he going to pay back what he stole? To think that this ghastly so called human being is Prime Minister sickens millions of us who want to see the back of him and his useless cronies.Call an election you creep!
- Alan, Chigwell., 05/02/2010 16:49
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Gordon Brown & Co., I hope you're reading this, because voters will neither forgive nor forget this expenses racket until some serious action is taken by your government, which it has so far, failed to do. I know there are decent, honest, hard working MP's in Westminster who value and uphold the political integrity of their respective parties and they should be named as shining examples to their parties, and indeed to British politics. Get rid of the trough-swillers, show the British public there is ONE are your government is capable of being tough on, and you and your Nu Laber might, just might, scrape a few hundred more vital votes come May 6.
- Joannie, Newham, London, 05/02/2010 16:19
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what about the architect of all this BLAIR he changed the rules . Gordon Brown is as bad if not worse than some of the others 12000 for cleaning from 2001 he was living in Downing street then not with his brother. he has got a cheek he thinks I will say nothing then it will pass nobody will look any further .
- Tilly Williams, peterborough uk, 05/02/2010 15:30
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"scar on democracy"?
Would that be the same definition of democracy that meant you withdrawing your election pledge on our vote on the EU Constitution without batting an eyelid?
Communism and Democracy are at different ends of the spectrum Broon. Think I'll buy you the book, "Bluff Your Way in Politics".
Looking forward to reading your election pledges this time around, could do with a laugh these days.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 05/02/2010 15:14
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We are still waiting for the last referendum he promised,
- Alex., brighton, 05/02/2010 14:50
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only 4 being prosecuted what about the rest nearly all of them have been caught out yet there are only 4 scapegoats.if it was the general public they would have all been charged.so it is zero tolerance towards the public,yet its all right for the parliment and the house of lords.what a load of self righteous pompous hypocrites.
- Desmond Wrafter, doncaster england, 05/02/2010 14:45
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