Will the MP expenses witch hunt claim a victim soon…?

It is being referred to as a McCarthy-type witchhunt referring to the disgraceful Washington inquiry into the personal lives and political beliefs of the Hollywood community back in the 1950′s. Screenwriters, actors, directors – those who were suspected of being ‘red’ - or communists – were hauled before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee led by Senator Robert McCarthy and made to name-names. Those who did were effectively banished by their colleagues, those who did not by claiming the Fifth Amendment were either considered guilty or held in contempt of court. Either way, the careers of some of the brightest and most talented people in the film industry were destroyed before this travesty of human rights violations was over and done with.

Today a similar witchhunt is being held throughout Westminster as MP’s are being investigated and ‘outed’ over their expenses claims and entitlements. Much of what has been revealed has been outrageous, the Speaker of the House has retired (jumped before he was pushed…) and there is an atmosphere of fear in British politics. MP’s are running scared as more are exposed.

The thing is, even though it makes the voters angry about the overly lavish expenses these MP’s claim, none of them were breaking the rules. Even the most immoral claims were made in accordance with the guidelines set down by Micheal Martin (the ex-Speaker). Claims for such luxuries as pools, holiday homes with furnishings right down to the home alarm, even fish ponds and trees.

No doubt careers are on the line and there is the worry that the pressure will be too much for at least one MP – it is being claimed that a suicide is on the horizon. I hope not – however what has come to light in recent weeks needed to be exposed. For too long MP’s have been serving themselves from the public purse when they were supposed to be serving us.

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