Paul Flynn - Read My Day

E-mails from Kurdistan

John  is a retired architect who have devoted his life to living in communities under threat. He spent long periods living with Palestinians who were being harassed by Israeli settlers. Forget about ethnic stereotypes. John is a Jew working for a Christian Charity helping Arabs - now Kurds. His recent e-mails have revealed a dire situation tat is beyond the reach of television cameras.

13.6.09:

Villagers along the northern Iraqi Kurdistan border have been subject to repeated cross-border bombardment from Turkey and Iran for over two decades.  Turkey has identified the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Iran cites the Party for Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) as their targets.  Those groups have been resisting Turkish and Iranian repression of their Kurdish populations, and both are on US and EU lists of terrorist organizations.  Meanwhile thousands of villagers have been forced to flee.  Those from around the town of Zharawa are 137 families from eleven villages, totalling more than 600 people, now sharing 45 tents.

In 2008, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) contracted a private company, Qandil, to build an IDP (internally displaced persons) camp outside Zharawa.  The conditions at the camp are terrible.  There is no shade, and summer temperatures here can reach 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).

"I spend most of my day looking for shade for my children," one parent told us.  The people have no electricity to refrigerate their food.  Latrines are dangerously close to their tents.  They anticipate rampant illness, and worry about how the elderly will survive.  There is no employment; whatever resources people had are dwindling away.  "Some families cannot buy even a bag of fruit," one man told us.  There is no prospect of an early return to their homes.  Something must be done urgently before people start dying.

So two women from the Christian Peacemaker Team, Michelle from New York and Chichuan from Taiwan, will move into the tent camp on 14 June 2009.  We hope their presence will help to focus international attention on the plight of the IDPs.  A week later, all being well, the men from the team, Craig from Maryland and I, will follow them (so you may not hear from me again for some time).

21.6.09:

The situation is very fluid.  Our threat to move into the camp and invite international media has produced promises by UNHCR to provide shading and a generator.  The refugees judge it is best for us not to move in straightaway, but to wait and see what the promises amount to.  Craig and Michele have gone to the camp today and are staying overnight.  The rest of us are following tomorrow, without intending to stay permanently yet.  So our plans should be clearer in a day or two.

The previous camp was in a zone from which outsiders, especially reporters, were excluded.  The new camp is further from the border and bombing, so journalists can visit.  We're trying hard to alert the media.  We're also helping to train a few refugee spokespersons, especially women, to deal effectively with international media.

I'm wilting in the heat:  over 100 degrees F every day.

23.6.09:

I was there yesterday.  There was no electricity and no shading (a week ago the local mayor promised they would be delivered "in a few days"), so the situation is pretty desperate.

The political situation in Iraqi Kurdistan has improved greatly in the past month.  There is no longer the same refusal on all sides to admit that Turkey and Iran have been bombing villages inside Iraq, and the bombing seems to have ceased for the time being.  Several factors have probably contributed to this relaxation:

    * the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) freedom fighters in Turkey and Iraq have declared a unilateral cease-fire, for a limited time. 

    * the Turkish parliament is renewing its efforts to reach a peaceful accommodation with its Kurdish minority, to further Turkey's entry into the EU. 

    * the Iranians have problems over their own disputed elections. 

    * elections to the Iraqi Kurdish parliament take place later this month; bombing would encourage votes for Kurdish extremists. 

    * maybe our appeals have contributed to international pressure on the Turks (especially) to stop the bombing.  If so, thanks for your help and support.

The easing has encouraged some of the refugee families to leave the IDP camps and return to their villages.  It's risky.  The bombing may restart any day.  I fear especially for the children – with no school and no relief from the constant fear of bombs and rockets.  The attached photograph shows some of the women and children in the camp; (the one on the right is my team-mate Michele).  Some of my team-mates have also put together a short video about the Zharawa children; you can watch it on –

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGskmxUmsXI

 

You can understand why families feel they must leave the camps. Conditions there are terrible.  At last shade matting has been delivered to the Zharawa camp, where we have been staying; see attached photograph of mats being unloaded.  But still the promised electrical generator has not arrived, and the agencies we have spoken to refuse to accept responsibility for providing fuel to run it.  So food cannot be refrigerated although temperatures are over 100 degrees F every day.  Who can blame these refugees for feeling abandoned by UNHCR, by the Kurdistan Regional Government, by the Iraqi government, by the whole world?

 

The UN agencies are run by good people, but they have to work in air-conditioned offices in their own guarded compounds and, for security reasons of which we are well aware (bombing, land-mines and hostage-taking), are not allowed to visit the IDP camps or the bombed villages.  They ask us, “Isn’t it dangerous to go by bus?”, “Aren’t you afraid to go inside the camps?”  Ours is virtually the only first-hand information they get, and it is often at odds with what they hear from government sources.

 

I know you will continue to uphold all the victims of this sad conflict – the officials on all sides, the soldiers and airmen, and the refugees who long to return home and raise their families in peace.

 

 

01/07/2009

Sadly the message I sent you a few hours ago is already out-of-date.  Earlier today Turkey resumed cross-border bombing.  We're distraught. John 

Mea culpa?

At last a chance to confront Parliament with the dreadful consequences of the 2006 decision to deploy 5,000 UK troops in Helmand Province. It was said by Secretary of State John Reid that he hoped the troops would be out in three years without a shot being fire. It was said and it cannot be unsaid.

Other voices compared the Helmand deployment as a 'futile as the Charge of the Light Brigade'. In March 2006, 7 British soldiers had died since 2001. Now it's 171 - far more that the number killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade. The toatl is close the total of 179 kiled in Iraq. I have written to the two main Defence Ministers who were in office in 2006 and invited them to attend and make their contributions.  Will John Reid and Adam Ingram have better things to do on at 2.00pm next Wednesday. The debate will last and an hour and a half so there should be ample time to hear the former ministers' views.

We are repeating the folly of Vietnam. The answer to US mounting casualties there was to pile in more troops. It' was not working, so they did more of the same. In ended in a panic rout.

 One Telegraph scribbler today is calling for more UK troops to be deployed in Helmand.  More troops offer more targets for the Taliban. More US bombing means more deaths of innocent Afghan civilians. The turning point in Vietnam was when the sons of the middle classes were among the fatalities. Today's sad news of the deaths of two brave soldiers has had more attention than any others fatalities.

One of them is a top ranking soldier who is a friend of royalty. But his death is no more  painful to his loved ones that the other 171 deaths. All their families have suffered a wound that will never heal.

Parliament took us into Helmand on a false prospectus. Parliament  is responsible for these deaths.  Will we have a mea culpa or two?

Lethal propaganda

Israel ran a brilliant PR campaign on their Gaza invasion. Not only were their minions pumping out plausible lines on the world media, there was micro propaganda produced on an individual basis.

I had a letter from a named constituent. She informed me that I was wrong to complain about phosphorus bombs in the first few days of the campaign in January. She wrote:

“Israel does not use phosphorus antipersonnel munitions. However, certain smoke munitions used in the recent operation in Gaza do contain small amounts of phosphorus. The method of Israel 's use of these munitions is fully in keeping with international law. They are directed against military targets, and used for their designed purpose of signaling and screening.”

Amnesty confirmed their report of horrific civilian casualties including 300 children.
They say "disturbing questions" remain about why high-precision weapons like tank shells and air-delivered bombs and missiles "killed so many children and other civilians".

The group also deplored Israel's use of less-precise artillery shells and highly incendiary white phosphorous in densely populated areas and accused Israeli forces of using Palestinians as "human shields" and frequently blocking civilians from receiving medical care and humanitarian aid.

On the world propaganda war, Israel out guns all other nations. Shame that so many children die in their firing lines.

George dragoned

There will be delight in some political circles that a complaint against George Osborne’s expenses is being investigated. They sound ‘iffy’ – claiming on two properties for a sum greater than the total of the mortgages. Who knows, there may be a plausible explanation.

It’s a 'Labour' complaint all media tell us. I do not remember anyone pointing out that many of the trivial accusations from the Telegraph were 'Tory' complaints. But it is not only Labour that will be pleased with an accusation at millionaire smiling boy Osborne.

Backbench Tories have been seething for weeks that David Cameron was protecting his rich shadow cabinet chums and hanging his lowly backbenchers out to dry. We hear the bitter complaints daily in the Commons.

There will be relief that the focus has moved away from the comical petty claims to the scandal of the big spenders. They have got away with the use of all, or almost all, of their housing allowance on interest only. The houses involved were all vast and expensive millionaire dwellings.

Why is this the expenses story the one the  papers do not reveal?

Sinking feeling

While we are on the subject, one deranged bigot rang my local paper to complain that I had claimed for work to underpin the foundations of my Newport home.

I listened fascinated. I have repeatedly pointed out that I have never flipped or made any housing claim except for a second home in London. Nor have the foundations for any of my homes ever been underpinned – thank goodness.

A company in which all the flat dwellers have a share run  many London flats. As any well run company they have a reserve fund for contingencies. In my case it is properly called a ‘Sinking fund.’  From this the Argus’ anonymous caller concluded that my house had been sinking. I told the Argus the name of their moronic informant and suggested that next time they put the phone down on him.

Why waste their and my time?

Blog power

Did this blog shame Rogerstone Council?

I believe it did. When I first posted, two correspondents defended the Council decision to evict Mrs Avery from her allotment. One said I should be ashamed for raising it. He knew the circumstances suspiciously well.

When the storm of angry messages arrived on this blog the defenders of the council ran to earth. Passing my story and pictures on to the local and national press produced hundreds of complaints. The Argus and Facebook publicity attracted instant support.

Without that enormous response, this dim council would have dug in. I believe the two correspondents above expressed the council’s view. Their petty defence was steam-rollered by a wave of common sense.

 It’s blogging that won.

MPs for hire

The Scottish newspaper the Herald published this brief article from me today,

The commonest excuse deployed by part-time MPs with a second job is that it gives them a more rounded experience of life that can be brought to bear on their work for constituents in the Commons. If MPs decide that they need experience to enrich their parliamentary work by all means do it but the money they earn should be deducted from their parliamentary salaries.

There is an Industry in Parliament Trust which encourages MPs to go and get experience in industry and the military but they are not paid for it.

The trouble is that predatory companies seek MPs for hire to act as their advocates in parliament. A couple of years ago, when there was a rush to clean up Sellafield, we found two MPs being paid tens of  thousands of pounds by the nuclear industry to put across their point of view.

They cannot be giving 100 per cent of their time serving their constituents if they are spending a considerable amount of time working for Mega-greed plc.

The worst part of it is the potential corruption of ministers who, if they are sacked or step down, are often seen to be hawking around their experience to companies who have an interest in the expertise they have built up. We’re seeing these top jobs - civil servants, generals, even the office of Prime Minister - becoming a stepping stone to far more lucrative jobs. There should be an absolute ban on working in these areas where they once had influence.

Experience outside parliament enriches parliament but people should not be paid for it, they cannot serve two masters . Even with the best rules human nature, being what it is, means that if you are getting two or three times your salary elsewhere that is where your prime attention will be.

Total number of British dead in Afghanistan = 171

Mrs Avery beats the bullies

Mrs Edith Avery's allotment is hers - for the foreseeable future.

The jobsworths on Rogerstone Council were forced to climb down in the face of a gale of public anger. The report I have had from tonight's meeting suggests that their about turn was anything but graceful. One councillor tried a sideswipe at me saying that I should be involved in more important matters.

There are few issues more important than defending a vulnerable lady of mature years against the small-minded bullying of puffed-up dictators. The leading members of this council should consider whether they are fit persons to hold public office. Clearly their judgement is hopeless.

Thanks to all those who have voiced their support.Your views counted. I am sure that Mrs Avery will be extremely grateful. Messages have support have come from far and wide. A facebook support site attracted 100 names very quickly. The Council should apologise for the unnecessary distress and worry they have caused. Perhaps a gift of flowers for Mrs Avery's allotment would be an appropriate gift. 

I am sure the rates could afford that.

Revolt

It was unplanned and settled in a conversation on the backbenchers after the vote had been called.

I sought the view of backbencher Andrew Dismore.  He was against a clause that would end the centuries old right of of privilege of MPs. Gordon Prentice and three other MPs joined the conversation. The general feeling was to abstain or vote in favour and hope that the Lords would sort it out. I said that I wouldvote  against.

In the NO Lobby I was surprised to see Margaret Beckett, John Reid and John Austin. Gordon Prentice, Andrew Dismore and the others in out backbench chat also voted against. For once we knew that our backbench chat made a difference. The clause was defeated by 250 votes to 247. Without our discussion the clause would have been adopted.

Jack Straw sensibly said that he would accept the will of the House. This bill is necessary but in many ways is an over-reaction to the expenses crisis. We must not be panicked into dumping rights that are the inheritance of centuries.

Labour joy

Compulsory ID cards scrapped, a railway line nationalised and the partial privatisation of the Royal Mail is off.

All the main worries of future conflicts among the labour ranks are gone. Cancelling Trident would move us from happy to ecstatic. That decision can be delayed but cash must be saved from some useless project. Nothing is more futile than the vain glorious Trident. 

Anyone any idea in what circumstances we might use it?

Petty, heartless jobsworth stupidity

Still no sign that Rogerstone Community Council are repentant about their threatening letter to Mrs Edith Avery. To give a little extra  pressure the following early Day Motion will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

Rogerstone Community Council and allotments

That this House is appalled by the crass insensitivity of Conservative controlled Rogerstone Community Council’s threat to  ‘clear’ the allotment of war heroine Mrs. Edith Avery because she is cultivating too many flowers, notes that Mrs. Avery is in her 90th year and has, for 30 years, tended the allotment which is situated a few feet from the back door of her cottage; congratulates Mrs. Avery on the exemplary appearance on her allotment and understands her difficulty in growing vegetables at her advanced age, condemns the council’s failure to answer letters from Mrs. Avery’s relative and her local MP that urged the exercise of a little humanity and common sense; calls on the Conservative Party to condemn the petty heartless jobsworth stupidity of the Conservative Council and their leader who answered Mrs. Avery complaint of their ‘dictatorial’ attitude with the comment  ‘Rules are Rules’ .

Because I wanted to avoid hordes of camera crews trampling Mrs Avery's gardens, I have tried to limit the disruption to her life. I talked freely to the  Press Association. They were understandably desperate for a picture which was essential to the story. The local paper refused to release their picture so I told them they could use mine or take video wipes. This is the best way to have maximum attention at minimum fuss.

Edith Avery's flower-filled allotment. Photograph: Paul Flynn MP/PA

On the Guardian site my pictures were given my and PA copyright. On the Daily Mail site only the PA copyright logo was used. This is annoying because it might inhibit others from using the picture. My intention was to make it freely available for all. I have no wish to make money out of the photographs but their widespread use will increase the chances of a sensible outcome tomorrow.

One interesting and revealing part of the vast publicity this blog story has generated is that the Mail version somehow omitted to mention that Rogerstone is a Tory Council. 

Double Jobs

It's irritating that broadcasters put up John Hemming MP against me in interviews on the new transparency of MPs moonlighting. They did it again this morning on Radio Wales.

He has his own company and pays himself £200,000 a year at a rate of £4,000 an hour.  He obviously has a good trade union. At that small time commitment he has enough time left to be full-time MP. 

He is not the target. The one in three Tory MPs who are for hire by Mega-greed PLC who spend a great deal of time on  serving Mammon not the public good are in our sights. The former ministers who hawked their influence around to the highest bidder are another target.

Transparency on MPs for hire will help to rebuild the lost trust between MPs and the public.

 

Charge of Helmand Brigade

Speaker Bercow called me at topical  questions yesterday. In the belief that persistence worked I raised a familiar theme.

 

Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab): The deployment of British troops in Helmand province in 2006 was once described as being as futile as the charge of the Light Brigade. At that time seven soldiers had died; now the figure is 169—far more than died in the charge of the Light Brigade. What has happened in that impossible war to justify the loss of 169 brave British lives?

David Miliband: My hon. Friend is right to pay tribute to the bravery, intelligence and skill of our servicemen and women in Helmand. They have made a huge difference in that province, which was previously ungoverned space. As I said earlier, there is still a long way to go, but the help that people are getting, the security forces that have been established, and the role that Governor Mangal has played in political leadership for that province would not exist without the efforts of our troops and their supporters. The further intensive activity as a result of American efforts in neighbouring provinces means that the next few months will be important in Helmand, as well as in the rest of Afghanistan. Voter registration has happened for 85 per cent. of the population of Helmand, which would have been impossible before 2006.

'Rules are rules' - Newport Tory

'Rules are rules' - Newport Tory

After a flurry of national publicity about war heroine Edith Avery's bullying by Regerstone Council, the BBC have coaxed a comment from the council. Only two anonymous friends of the council, who might be councillors themselves, have squeaked support for the Rogerstone blues. Over 50 people have voiced their anger and contempt for this heartless abuse of petty power.

I have discouraged excessive publicity in fear that intrusive press coverage might upset Mrs Avery. I have refused to give anyone her contacts details. BBC Wales was welcome to lift two of my blog photographs for their site today. If the Council do not withdraw the cancellation of her tenancy, the dogs of the tabloid press will be unleashed. 

Mrs Avery told the BBC : "They said because there wasn't vegetables on there, only flowers, I had to clear the site, and if I didn't clear it within 14 days, they would clear it and I would have to foot the bill.

"It was the tone of the letter. It was very dictatorial. I tried to get in touch with somebody and all I got was 'write a letter'.

She said: "I'm that much older now and I can't do [grow vegetables]. It became a flower garden eventually."I don't want to lose the allotment. I look out on it. It's my garden. I only go out once a week because I have arthritis."

The Council chairman is the controversial councillor Andrew Cooksey. He  said a colleague had been in contact with Mrs Avery to find a  resolution. He told the BBC : "We don't want to annoy or upset an elderly lady. Having said that, rules are rules."

He has certainly failed in his efforts not to upset an elderly lady. But the chilling final statement exposes the Lilliputian minds of these Tory jobsworths. 'Rules are Rules'. Stupidity is  stupidity. Bullying is bullying. Elder abuse is elder abuse. Apologies are apologies. Come up with one.

Say sorry and withdraw your threat Rogerstone Council or become a laughing stock.

Murky moonlighting

Multi-tasking deceptions

At last MPs’ outside jobs have grabbed the public’s attention. I will be burbling about this on BBC Radio Four today. The Daily Telegraphs has raised the issue even though their entire story has long been in the public domain.

I was discussing these issues with Sir Paul Beresford MP who moonlights as a dentist. His defence was MPs get valuable experience from outside jobs. Yes.  But why pocket the money for the experience? Twelve years ago, I addressed this problem in my book Commons’ Knowledge.

"Odd sums of money arrive in the post.

Cheques from the media interviews, for writing or market research companies are not really earned. They are usually paid for doing the job for which MPs are already paid.

If they lie heavily on the conscience, they can be diverted into a fund for excess income. There are two answers. Either set up a proper charitable trust with defined aims and trustees into which the full sums can be deposited. A simpler course is to pay tax on the cash, then deposit in a separate charitable account with independent signatories.

Either way the sums quickly accumulate into substantial amounts for worthwhile giving. They avoid dependence on outside money and ensure that work priorities are not distorted by financial temptations. Always insist that any charitable giving is anonymous. It absolves the giver of the insulting charge of trying to buy votes and it reduces the calls of the fund from unworthy causes."

It’s advice I have followed myself – including the modest income from my books. I fund this blog from my salary not from expenses. Writing is part of my job. Paul Beresford appears to have forgotten that MPs can already gain hands-on experience of outside work. There are bodies like the Parliament Trust that give MPs the chance to spend time with commercial companies or the military one. The experience is great but  there is no additional income.

Part of the evidence I have submitted to Kelly’s Standards committee asks for MPs salaries to be adjusted if they are being paid for additional jobs. This should stir up a little interest. It is a perfectly fair request. No one can do do  or more full-time jobs.

"An MP’s job is a full time one.  This principle should underpin all measures to reform the system of remuneration.  It is known that some MPs earn up to  £250,000 a year from “moonlighting”. Those who take additional paid employment, which could be considered a second job, should declare the hours spent on these commitments, and the income received, so that voters can consider if they are able to carry out the core job of an MP.  Parliamentary salaries should be adjusted to reflect the additional income derived from second jobs.  There are former ministers who are still Members of Parliament who are paid for giving advice to industries for which they were formerly responsible.  Former Ministers and former senior civil servants should be barred from taking jobs in those areas in which they served.  PASC condemned this  ‘revolving door’ process in January this year."

Reforms to end moonlighting are at least as important as changes in the expenses rules. They go to the heart of the motivation on MPs. How many of the candidates in the next General Election will seek votes by admitting they intend to be part-time MPs?

Allotment peace?

There is great interest in the future of Mrs Avery’s allotment. The anger is widespread and deeply felt. The local paper, the South Wales Argus, has written a sympathetic story.

A representative of the Council has said verbally but not in writing that the allotment will not be ‘cleared’ on Monday. One of my correspondents attempted but failed to contact the Chairman of the Council.  Another creatively suggested that we help Mrs Avery to plant flowers that are edible.

If the bulldozers arrived to clear the site, the national press will be there to greet them.  I hope this ham fisted Community Council will come to their senses at their meeting on Wednesday. Otherwise they will be singed by the ridicule and contempt of the whole country.

Newport Vorticism

A  wonderful exhibition of prints from the collection of Newport Museum was opened yesterday evening by Derek Butler. He longingly recalled the atmosphere of the old Newport Arts College with distinctive welcoming smell of turps and cannabis smoke. The building is now being converted to luxury riverside flats.

The Sunshine Roof: Cyril Power

The exhibition is titled Limited Edition / In Response. Some of the prints  have rarely been on exhibition in the past 70 years. The most striking, I found, to be from the only British school of painting - Vorticism. These powerful stylised prints are a delight.

The new cable : Sybil Andrews

This style of painting was short lived. It is characteristic on the twenties and thirties. The stylised figures and the powerful overall design separate the Vorticists from all other art fashions.

Hurdlers: William Greengrass

Derek Butler, who was formerly the head of graphic design in Newport spoke of the generosity of a former curator of the museum who allowed him to borrow very valuable prints. One he hung in his own flat. His wife, the present A.M for Newport west Rosemary Butler, was exceptionally impressed with one of the etchings which was proudly displayed in his bachelor flat. Alas she was trapped into marriage before she discovered that this expensive painting was being claimed back by the museum.

 

In full cry: Sybil Andrews

The exhibition is rich and varied. Perhaps a unique feature is a group of prints selected by the children of Maindee Primary School. The childrens' fascinating reasons for their choice are displayed. It is refreshing to see the wise and wonderful of the artistic elite proclaiming that the judgement of ten year olds has a validity compared with their own.

Wisdom at one?

Tomorrow I will lock horns with a moonlighting Tory MP on the subject of MPs second jobs. He is among the least guilty. He keep his hand in as dentist. The interview will be on Radio Four in the  World at One show. I hope to focus on the worst offenders - especially those who use the revolving door to capitalise on their ministerial experiences.

I wonder how I can bring Vorticism into the discussion.

Heroine threatened for growing flowers.

No, I would not have believed a story that said ‘Council threatens 90 year old war heroine for growing flowers.’  But it is true.

In the dark days of the war, German U boats were sinking the Atlantic convoys that were the UK’s food lifeline. Mrs Avery was then serving in Pembroke Dock helping to keep the Sunderlands and Catalinas flying. Their job was to spot the U-boats and instruct surface vessels to depth charge them. Mrs Avery was in full-time work throughout her life acting as a court usher until she was 77. She is now 90. Her late husband landed in Normandy on D-Day Three with the heavy artillery. He fought his way through France and Belgium to Munchen Gladbach. They were both honoured for their war service. Mrs Avery deserves the gratitude of her fellow Newportonians. She has earned the right to be treated with respect and decency.




For thirty years Mrs Avery has tended a four perch allotment situated a few feet from the back door of her cottage in my constituency at Rogerstone.  Once she grew vegetables. Now it is mainly flowers and shrubs. The allotment is the delightful view from her kitchen window. Even on a wet day such as today it is a well-tended pleasing sight. Next Monday is the day that the petty dictators of Rogerstone Community Council have threatened to 'clear' the allotment.  They have returned Mrs Avery’s rent. They have put the phone down on her telephone calls. Her offence is that she is growing flowers. There are some vegetables. The jobsworth councillors insist that allotments are for vegetables only. There are many neglected overgrown allotments nearby that cry out for the councillors' attention.


Mrs Avery, her daughter, neighbours and I have written, phoned and sent texts to the Rogerstone Community Council. No replies or acknowledgements have been received. Phone calls are greeted with an answer phone. Mrs Avery is haunted by the fear that on Monday, the bulldozers will arrive to destroy her lovingly tended flowers and shrubs.

Rogerstone Council is almost a one-party council. All, except one  Plaid Cymru member, are Conservatives. I have no details of their war records or service to the country. I suspect that they would be less impressive than those of Mrs Avery and her late husband.


I have appealed to the Council to show a little common sense and flexibility. Destroying her work of 30 years would be a cruel and heartless act. After leaving a message on the Council's answerphone and visiting Mrs Avery this morning,  I have contacted the South Wales Argus in the hope that some publicity may shame the Rogerstone Community Council into acting with a little humanity.

Slight virtue through flagellation

Tory MPs are quietly seething. Speaker Bercow was bad enough but Cameron is infuriating them.

The bidding war among party leaders to win the purity expenses crown is irritating the tightwads. There is Tory round robin objecting to Cameron’s self-flagellating zeal. The Tory Star Chamber appears to be fining MPs on some of their allegedly ill-gotten gains. But the fines appear arbitrary.

 

Eleanor Laing MP was reported to have made a £1million profit on the sale of her flat. She declared it to be her main home and avoided a capital gains tax bill of £180,000. Yes it was legal. (In self-defence I emphasize that I paid mine, a very modest sum by comparison.)

Compelling Eleanor to cough up £25,000 invites the question, if it’s wrong why wasn’t she told to repay the whole £180,000? Who decides how much should be repaid? It’s either right or wrong. This is an attempt to be a slightly virtuous. It won’t wash.

There’ll be tears before bedtime.

Ectoplasm fog

English is my mother tongue. It is also the cradle language of one of our PASC Select Committee witnesses today from Lockheed Martin. Yet we could not understand each other. 

The subject was the 2011 census. As MP for the Statistics Office, I am going gently on this one. It will be the last of the ten-year censuses. There are few local jobs involved as it being handled by other parts of the Office for National Statistics. The whole thing is costing half a £billion. Shed loads of cash have been outsourced to Lockheed Martin to computerise the data collection.

The Census Form is 32 pages long. Completing it on Census day is mandatory. It is envisaged that 25% of the population will fill it out on line. I asked the Lockheed Martin man, what would happen if 15 million people spent an hour on line on Census Day. Wouldn’t the system crash? Possibly the country’s whole electricity system might be overloaded.

While I listened carefully to his explanation, which I recognized as being in English, I could not dredge any meaning from what he was saying. I told him I did not understand his reply. I asked again. What if you under-estimated and 20 or 30 million went on line simultaneously, would the system crash? He burbled on about ‘robust trials. ‘Not with 15 million people’ I suggested. But there was still no answer.

I gave up. I told him that PASC is looking at the use of Good English. I thanked him for his example of verbal ectoplasm, which we may quote as a fine example of how to speak without communicating.

Hari-kiri

What did Eric Joyce MP agree to do a television interview in these circumstances? The Scottish version of Newsnight had him bang to rights.

Parliament first

Hansard today records the answer I had from the Foreign Secretary yesterday is the heated Iraq debate. It left me and eighteen other Labour MPs no choice but to sidle through the Tory lobby. This issue is one for Parliament, not Government, to decide. Tony Blair has been consulted. The relatives of the fallen have not been heard.

Paul Flynn: Will the Foreign Secretary clarify the answer that he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright), who asked whether there would be another discussion on these matters and a vote? Is the only way of supporting the point made by my hon. Friend to vote against the Government amendment? The Foreign Secretary’s answer was that we would have a vote today. Would he interpret a vote in favour of the amendment as a decision by the House that it is against a further vote and a further discussion on the final proposals?

David Miliband: No. I would interpret it as indicating that my hon. Friend supports the Government amendment, which says that Sir John Chilcot has set out the appropriate way in which to conduct the inquiry. My hon. Friend has been in the House longer than I have, and I certainly would not seek to prevent him from articulating his views further at any stage in the future, but I would interpret his support for the amendment as an indication that he believes, as I do, that for all the comings and goings of the past 10 days, the Chilcot approach now meets all reasonable aspirations for a comprehensive, independent, thorough inquiry into the Iraq conflict and its aftermath.

All passion spent

It was a storming debate packed with sincere passion from all corners of the House.

How could Downing Street have got it so wrong? The Public Administration Committee (PASC)were on full throttle in the Commons today on the Iraq War Inquiry.  We know about Inquiries. In fact we did an Inquiry into Inquiries. Last Thursday we rushed out a report on the proposed Inquiry into the Iraq War. It was packed with bright practical ideas and based on a seminar of the great and the good that we held.

In today's debate, neither the Foreign Secretary or his fellow wind-up ministers mentioned the report. This is not difficult politics. The Iraq War was our worst parliamentary decision since Suez. A million people died. The UK need not have backed Bush's War. 179 British soldiers died because parliament got it wrong.

The shape of the Inquiry should have been agreed between other political parties, the military and the families of the fallen. None were consulted. Today was the chance to do a deal. One with PASC would be a start. Three members of our committee spoke. We all asked for the issue to be brought back to parliament after consultations for parliament to decide. It was not much to asked for. Repeatedly the Government refused.

The only honourable choice was to hold ours noses and walk through the Tory lobby. A backbencher sitting next to me tonight said that the Government had lost the debate by a mile. But he was in the Government lobby because he feared a Government defeat would mean an early election.

For the first time in my life I agreed with Iain Duncan Smith. We both know that establishing this supremely important inquiry is not the decision of Government. It should be the decision of Parliament. Too much of the power of backbenchers has been usurped by the Executive.

Tonight's revolt cut the Government's majority in half. A simple compromise would have averted the row. 

It was not too much to ask.

Life changing

The Guardian's Michael White hit a bull's eye on his blog yesterday. I had a chat with him about his suggestion that MPs' characters are changed by the experience of having a child with health problems.

He cited three Tory MPs who had defected to Labour in the past. All had children with handicaps. Michael suggested that John Burcow has mutated from his 'Hang Mandela' phrase to his present cuddly phrase because one of his children has a health problem. I cannot vouch for all the MPs that Michael mentioned but I told him it was certainly true of Alan Howarth my neighbour MP in Newport East. I had observed him progress from heartless Thatcherite of the 80s to a convinced socialist of the 90s. As a Tory MP he attacked the Tory Jobseekers' Allowance as 'Seek and you shall not find.' He did a good job as MP for Newport East.

Michael White has doubts about John Bercow's change. I am always optimistic. I believe he is genuine. After only two days, he seems a natural in the chair. The House respects him. But anything would be better that the Turnip.

Yesterday in Parliament

Ann Winterton: Some studies have shown that heavy users of skunk are much more liable to develop schizophrenia. In fact, the risk to them is 40 per cent. greater. How can the Government combat that, because there are serious long-term effects? In fact, the problem could be described as a mental health time bomb.

Gillian Merron: I am sympathetic to the points made. It is for that reason, and because of public concern and the kind of issues that have been raised, that despite the fact that what we know so far is that there is a probable but weak causal link, we have promoted the FRANK campaign, which has the slogan, “cannabis can mess with your mind”, and we will continue to do that. Of course, while it is true that cannabis use is declining, the use of more potent cannabis such as skunk is increasing, and we are aware of that. We will continue our research and continue providing messages and information to the public.

Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab): In considering the problem of skunk cannabis, will the Minister promise to disregard the hysterical, evidence-free hyperbole, an example of which we heard this afternoon, and heed instead the scientific, evidence-based advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs?

Gillian Merron: As I said earlier, we are looking forward to further research to establish the link between cannabis use, including skunk cannabis, and the effects on health, including mental health, and we will respond to it in the proper fashion.

Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab): Is there not a case for considering the problems of the revolving door whereby former Ministers trade on their contacts and experience to seek salaries in the private sector? Is there not a strong case for arguing that if there is transparency about the amount of time that Members spend on their other jobs, we should consider appropriate reductions in their salary, on the basis that no Member can do two or more full-time jobs adequately?

Ms Harman: My hon. Friend is quite right.  The public expect that if we are elected to the House, our focus should be on public representation of our constituents or work in Select Committees more widely. The rules on Ministers subsequently taking work are clear. There will be a difference in future because of transparency. Members will have to think harder about what is acceptable when they know that their constituents will be fully in the picture about how many hours they spend doing work other than representing them or working as Ministers.

Mr. Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): Will the Minister explain a little about the time-spent declaration that will have to be made? I have only ever had one job that in any way impinged on my ability to spend at least 60 and often many more hours a week working for my constituents, and that was as a Minister for 10 years. Will Ministers have to spell out how many hours they spend on ministerial work? If not, why not?

Ms Harman: When somebody acts as a Minister, what they do is absolutely in the public domain, it is quite evident to the public that they are a Minister and their pay, which is published and transparent, is also in the public domain. Let us face up to it: in this House, quite a large number of Members have had jobs that are nothing to do with being a Member of Parliament and nothing to do with serving the public interest, but to which they have devoted their time and for which they have been paid. We are simply saying that, in future, that information should be in the public domain. It is very important, indeed, that the public are able to see it. The right hon. Gentleman will well know that Ministers’ diaries are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and that everything that we do is totally in the public domain.

Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): The Public Administration Committee recommended five months ago a mandatory register of lobbyists. Will that be covered by the Parliamentary Standards Bill?

Ms Harman: The hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) asked what other registers might be considered, and, as I said in my statement, further progress can be made on regulation and ensuring that things are put on an independent footing. That proposal has been made in the past, and it has been subject to consultation, not least in the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill.

MPs pay cut

A brief question from me today hit the Tories' in their most sensitive erogenous zone. Their wallet.

The new plans for MPs' future conduct has depressed the spirits of some MPs. I plunged them into deeper gloom by recalling the scandal of  MPs with multiple jobs.  Frequently I have described the semi-corrupt revolving door from which former ministers hawk their influence and contact secrets to the highest bidder. 

I suggested to Commons Leader Harriet Harman that to encourage MPs to concentrate on their duties, the pay of moonlighting members should be reduced. No MPs can do justice to two or more full-time jobs. She was friendly towards to the suggestion. The Tory MPs were not.

Peter Lilley brought up the usual justification. He said the only time he did two jobs was when he was a minister and an MP. Should MPs lose some of their salaries when they became ministers?

The answer is that being a minister is part of the jobs of politicians. There is an extra burden on MPs staff when their boss is away on ministerial duties. This is difficult but MPs staff are sufficiently skilled to cope. But it is not fair to impose an additional burden on them because their boss is away earning extra cash working for Mega-greed PLC.

The present proposal from Gordon Brown is to publish the time that MPs spend moonlighting. Constituents may well react strongly when they discover that their representative is a part timer. 

That is a reform worth having.

Burcow Bright

So far: so novel.

It was a strange occasion to have a new voice in the chair of the Commons.  John Bercow did well. The questions and answers were more crisp, because he said they must be. There was none of the tedious flow of repeated 'Welcome to the Chair Mr Speaker' because he stopped that after he first couple of sycophantic tributes. Speaker Burcow has eliminated some of the wordy ectoplasm that is an obstacle to the public's understanding of Common's debate.

Already MPs are trimming their questions to be briefer and more pithy. Some of the polyfilla of tedium that clogs parliamentary procedure may be forced out.

He has abandoned the fancy dress that every other Speaker used. He did not rebuke Gordon Brown for pre-announcing a statement on the Today's programme this morning. One of my correspondents KayTie suggested he should. One reform at a time. Tomorrow's Prime Minister's Question should be fascinating. What new conduct will he demand?

Nadine

The Tory's embarrassing oddity Nadine Dorries MP is at it again.

She mistakenly claimed that only a handful of Tories voted for John Bercow last night. This is not true. The number crunchers convinced me today that it was at least 20. One who does not want to publicly declare told me that a socialist Speaker  would be a curb on an over reaching new Tory PM with a large majority. This is sophisticated voting and very convincing.

Nadine knows that going 'over the top' guarantees instant publicity. That is what she loves. If the Tories do win next year, they would not be stupid enough to attack a sitting Speaker. 

Bercow is safe for the next nine years.

Fallen Sisters 

Diners in the Commons Members Dining Room tonight were intrigued by a gathering of Labour women at one table.

The company included Jacqui Smith, Hazel Blears, Caroline Flint, Kitty Usher and Meg Munn.  There was a lot of hilarity from the table. 

What on earth could they have been talking about?

Reform Speaker

Speaker Bercow is a deeply satisfying result.

Many Tories were spitting feathers tonight.  They feel cheated because of John Bercows political conversion to left wing causes. He is a still a Tory MP and it was the Tory's turn. 

He has been viciously attacked by the Daily Mail and the Telegraph. Their over-the-top venom helped to win him support from all sections of the House. John Bercow made the best speech starting with an anecdote that we all recognised starred Tory grandee Peter Tapsell. Although Peter disagreed. 

John is a great mimic and he does a wonderful Ken Clarke. The joke relaxed the House and it was receptive to his plea that he does not want to become something he wanted to do something. Regular readers of the blog will know that I have been banging on about Speaker Bercow for weeks. It was right to sack Michael Martin. It is better to appoint Speaker Bercow. 

Now for the reforms.

Drivel blog

I have lifted this exchange of piffle and facts from the site of rhe South Wales Argus. I know the person who calls himself papa. He is the only person to have made thataccusation against my splendid staff in the past 22 years. It was in response to the story about my defence costs. There is, of course, no truth is the claim that I or any of my staff ever refused to deal with a constituent's problem. My present home is smaller that the previous two I had before I was an MP. Nor am I a lifetime politician. I was 52 when I first elected. People write such drivel.

But it's very encouraging that unknown people have leapt to my defence.

 claims for defence cotspapa, Newport says...
3:21pm Sat 20 Jun 09

He may have legally claimed these expenses but it was morally wrong and morally fraud.
Paul Flynn dropped himself into the shyte and expects Joe Public to bail him out, he wrote and said a libellous statement, not one other person in the world did and he expects us to bare that debt, all costs relating to that law suite should be borne by him and him alone.

How on earth can any MP claim £140,961 in expenses for one year?, obviously Paul Flynn is useing the gravy train for his own pocket.
I thought MP's salaries were about £30,000 and if so look at the amount claimed for one year by Paul Flynn. That figure can never be justified.

REPORT THIS POST »

Gareth, Newport says... 
10:21am Sun 21 Jun 09

£30k wages? nah, you're way out: it's about £65k.

do i want my MP to work for £30k? no way. that is middle-management salary here; and the sort of money first-job graduates in london walk into.

yes, i can imagine a lot of people who are doing low-paid jobs (or unemployed) will scream: "i'll do it for 30k!", and if they have the core skills and experience of representation, teamwork, law, building/developing relationships with peers, running an office and the rest of it... then go for it.

but in the real world, people with those core skills are earning far more than £30k, and are not going to take a pay cut.

REPORT THIS POST »

papa, Newport says...
11:07am Sun 21 Jun 09

Well even at 65k he's tripled his income with that massive expenses claim, no wonder he can afford to live in the Fields Park area and the poor suckers like us are paying for it.
It wouldn't be so bad if he actually done something for someone or Newport instead of trying to be the MP voted with the best web site on which he spends all his time and does sod all for his constituants!

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Gareth, Newport says...
11:28am Sun 21 Jun 09

taking into account these amounts for our local MPs include the running of their london/constituency offices/staff, i think the figures are actually quite low!

i mean, my office costs that much to run on its own, BEFORE we get to my business-related expenses!

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Stuck, In the mouth of madness says...
3:48pm Sun 21 Jun 09

I am not normally one to defend MPs but Mr Flynn is a good man who I was fortunate to have as my MP when I lived in Newport West. Mr Flynn replied so quickly to a question I had made, I can understand why his costs are such. It is Mr Flynns job to ask difficult questions and if that leads to court action then it is right that his employer helps out. Mr Flynn lives in a half decent part of Newport, as he is a very experienced man who has a wealth of knowledge, I think he is entitled to it.Mr Flynn could make far more if he worked in the private sector. I believe that Mr Flynn also drove a nissan micra, hardly the ride of the elite and Fields Park is hardly Belgravia. Paul Flynn is not in the same hemisphere as the con men and charlatans who have dragged us through the dirt and he does not deserve any animosity. That is all!

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papa, Newport says...
9:25pm Sun 21 Jun 09

Seems like there are two Paul Flynn's MP and the one you are talking about cannot be the same one I know.
The one I know well won't dirty his hands with helping the working class living on council estates and I personally know a number that have asked for his help and have been refused by him.
Obviously Paul Flyn will suck up to business people like yourself Gareth because he has forgotten his working class roots, if he had any and wehat the Labour movement originally stood for and I won't repeat what one County Councillor, a lay preacher said about him when he was a county councillor.
Paul Flynn is only out for his own ends and nobody elses!!!
I can assure you I am not alone in those views.

REPORT THIS POST »

Gareth, Newport says...
9:32am Mon 22 Jun 09

papa wrote:
Seems like there are two Paul Flynn's MP and the one you are talking about cannot be the same one I know.
The one I know well won't dirty his hands with helping the working class living on council estates and I personally know a number that have asked for his help and have been refused by him.
Obviously Paul Flyn will suck up to business people like yourself Gareth because he has forgotten his working class roots, if he had any and wehat the Labour movement originally stood for and I won't repeat what one County Councillor, a lay preacher said about him when he was a county councillor.
Paul Flynn is only out for his own ends and nobody elses!!!
I can assure you I am not alone in those views.

i obviously do not know Paul as well as you do, papa. though our political views differ, but he seems a decent enough chap to me, and he does have pretty convictions.

you mentioned him forgetting his roots because he may talk to businessmen - like they must be two different types of people.

i consider myself a working class businessman, papa. and remember that these guys in suits are the ones that generate jobs and wealth for others - surely that is exactly the type of person paul should be talking to!

as for his house: no, he doesn't live in a slum on a council estate, but his semi up on edward 7th isn't exactly palacial!

i also enjoy his blog, and would far rather him spend a few grand a year keeping me updated with his actions, than spend nothing and take a kicking for not keeping his constituents in the loop.

that said, like the rest of us, there will be people who like him and those that don't. the proof comes at election time, and the fact that he has been the people's choice for as long as i can remember maybe means he has far more supporters than detractors!

REPORT THIS POST »

westsi1983, Newport says...
1:02pm Mon 22 Jun 09

Mr Flynn (along with many more of his compadres in Westminster) is a Career politician, he has spent his life in politics. Politics is not, and should not be regarded as, a career!

Politicians should be paid either expenses OR salaried, NOT both.

Career politicians are self-serving individuals who would not know or understand an honest days work!! You only need look at people like David Cameron, Neil Kinnock, Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown to see precisely why career politicians are bad for this country. Of course some people might see massive differences, all I can see is an amorphous waste of oxygen!

Flynn included, politicians need to have a maximum shelf-life of 2 or 3 terms before they are replaced by newer fresher thoughts and ideas. I don't care for party politics, that's not democratic, its a cunningly-disguised method of enforcing a set of views upon the masses, and with such narrow differences between the main parties, its little wonder that 65% of the population did not vote for the government we have...

Should the tax-payer have reimbursed his legal expenses? No. He said it, he should pay for it. The problem with this would be that we would breed a group of politicians who are afraid to challenge practices which are morally wrong...

Must laugh at that last one - glass houses and stones come straight to mind...

REPORT THIS POST »

freetheleighthamstowone, Newport says...
4:06pm Mon 22 Jun 09

Actually if you read about the case you'll see that the problem was something that a third party wrote. Since when did we want our representatives to not point out the shark practices of some financial businesses? This seems to be what you want, only you don't want it to cost you anything? Some would say in light of recent events we need more courage not less when dealing with the financial sector. In this case the small legal fund provided seems reasonable since the vast majority of the costs came from Mr. Flynns own pocket I would say he did step up to the plate and put his own financial security at risk for what he believed was in the public interest. Perhaps you could direct me to the campaign you are currently running on these issues so I can see you putting your money where your mouth is and not just indulging in rhetoric?

Also Paul Flynn used to work at Llanwern so not quite the "career politician" you suggest.

On a final point, I agree with you that democracy is a terrible system as it means neither you nor I get to choose who is elected. However we must concede Churchills point that its the best we've come up with yet.

REPORT THIS POST »

davewales, newport says...
5:31pm Mon 22 Jun 09

i condemed paul flynn when i first heard of the claim and challenged paul on this issue,i am not a friend of paul flynn but give the man a chance he takes critism and will answer your emails etc.paul is a maverick mp and doesnt follow the pack but he will put his head on the block and does fight for newport.it just isnt written about in the argus.
the problem with challenging wealthy or legal practices is they will keep the matter right or wrong in the courts.do you keep paying legal fees even though your right or stop any legal actions and pay court and libel costs.
i have asked the argus to give paul flynn a page in the argus to answer his constituents questions,explain what he is up to and take any critisisms.
paul flynn wrote this explination on his blog.

My campaign was against companies popularly known as ambulance chasers. They offer advice to assist claims of compensation. When the claims are successful they charge anything from 10% to 50% of the compensation as their fee. I was campaigning in parliament against firms who I was convinced were making unjustified charges that denied claimants their full compensation. Charges of up to 15% were defined as reasonable by Which? The companies I criticised charged between 20% and 50% for advice much of which is freely available from Which? and the FSA.

In the past, I have campaigned against rip-offs in the financial world including endowment mortgages, pensions miss-selling and debt bundling frauds. While I was fire-proof in what I said in parliament, I was open to a libel cases for what I said outside. A comment attributed to me in a specialist newspaper with a tiny circulation of about 5,000 was the alleged libel. The firm involved c claimed that a general accurate comment I made about 'firms charging up to 50%' applied to them. They charged about 25%.

I knew I had done nothing wrong. For months I refused to back down. In my judgment, this was an attempt to kill a wholly justified campaign against the exploitation of those who are financially unsophisticated. I was advised that I had an 80% chance of winning if the case went to court. But there was no guarantee. It depended on the disposition of the judge and other uncontrollable factors. I could lose. The costs that I could pay, if the case went to court, were estimated at between half a million and a million pounds. I am not a gambler. The costs were being racked up at a rate of £thousands every week.

REPORT THIS POST »

davewales, newport says...
5:38pm Mon 22 Jun 09

I threw in the towel when the cost reached £44,000. It was the only way of ending the nightmare. Of course there was no significant damage to the company although there initial claim was for £300,000. The sum they finally agreed in damages was a relatively trivial £1,000. I believe it was my silence they were seeking. This was pressure by costs. Mine were £10,000. Theirs were £34,000. That was a total bill for me of £45,000.
I had some protection in the Commons but it did not run to £45,000 and certainly not to a million pounds. The Commons Authorities and the Inland Revenue accepted fully that my campaign was wholly in line with my parliamentary campaigning. That paid my defence costs. It did not help with the damages and the company's costs. I have never regretted my stand although I will handle it in a different way next time. These risks go with the parliamentary territory. I had been burnt but I am proud of the stand I took.

REPORT THIS POST »

davewales, newport says...
5:53pm Mon 22 Jun 09

regards paul flynn expenses,they are online and you will see he claimed very little compared to other mps in wales and england.
£90,000 he spent on office staff wages out of the 140,000

i didnt like certain things he claimed for and i have made my feelings known too paul
a kitchen,bathroom,fur
niture,deoderising carpets,flooring,pai
nter & decorators,builders,
soap holder.all are in the expenses available online.

REPORT THIS POST »

Gareth, Newport says...
5:55pm Mon 22 Jun 09

MPs are not going to pay their business costs out of their salaries. i don't and no other employer or employee does either. that would just create horrendous tax and revenue implications.

for the sake of argument, if that ever does happen, then you will have to take into account the cost of both their current salary plus the cost of offices, staff pay, travel, comms, VAT, business and personal taxes, NI, employers insurance and the rest of it.

what are we looking at there: £300k-£400k?

Final odds for reform Speaker

 The old parliament is dead. Long live the new one.The Hustings are finished but the plotting roars on.

 All the candidates are silent. Secretly they are egging their supporters to play pundits for tomorrow's vote. I have had no recent contact with any candidate but I did my bit this morning on the Welsh opt-out from the Politics Show. I shall be performing on the Green at the crack of dawn tomorrow for Welsh Radio and Radio Cymru. 

The Telegraph ineptly interfered today. The rest of the media stupidly reported their attack on John Berckow and Margaret Beckett as 'new'. The stuff about Margaret was released under Freedom of Information last year. It was about claims made eight years ago! While the Telegraph deserves credit for releasing telling information that would not otherwise have been made public, they have now reverted to the previous Tory-graph ways. Their attacks concentrate on the two candidates they regard as 'socialist.' The electorate they are trying to influence is canny and sophisticated. Beckett and Bercow will gorge votes from the Telegraph malice trough.

The Hustings have revealed unexpected strengths and weaknesses. I have revised all my previous odds. My intended  vote is Bercow first, Beckett second and George Young third.

 

The expected order in which candidates will be eliminated is Shepherd, Lord, Dhanda, Cormack, Hazelhurst, Beith, Widdicombe, Young, Beckett and Bercow.

Alan Beith:Has gained support by his breezy amiable presentation. His solid Lib-Dems votes should get him past the first vote. He could well pick up extra votes and progress through the middle as the candidate no one dislikes. His major problem is the one he admits. He is a member of a small party.

Odds Were 8:1 Now 10-1

Margaret Beckett:

 Brilliant Hustings performer. She has concentrated on her reforming success in introducing Westminster Hall debates in the teeth of opposition from the traditionalists. She has a wealth of ministerial experience but continues to suffer because she has not been a backbencher since 1972. Suspected of shameless opportunism. As Speaker she would rescue her collapsing  career and secure her threatened seat at the next General Election.
Odds Were 10-1 now 5-1

Patrick Cormack: A more relaxed humorous Hustings performer. As an old headmaster he did not once order his audiences to fold their arms and sit up straight. In appealing for Labour votes, reminded MPs that he one of the handful of Tory MPs who voted against the introduction of the poll-tax in Scotland.

Odds Were 20-1 Now 10-1

George Young: Reminded Labour MPs that 79 of them them voted for him in the last contest for Speaker. 49 of them, including me, are still in the House. Still regarded as one of the top gentleman in the gentleman's Club.

Odds Were 8-1 Now 10-1

Frank Field: Almost certainly out of it. But could theoretically be nominated tomorrow.

Odds Were 6-1 Now 50:1

Ann Widdecombe: Gusty Hustings speaker. A comfort vote for the the huddled masses of distraught expenses-racked MPs seeking mothering and reassurance. Could pick up extra votes at the second stage of votes from the disgruntled and those acting out of devilment.

We need a long-term Speaker not a stop gap.

Odds Were 12-1 Now 6-1

John Bercow:   Has played safe at the Hustings. Has avoided verbal fireworks and concentrated on bread and butter issues. The Tories remain baffled. They do not know who he is and where he is going. Has been damaged by Margaret Beckett's Labour whips spoiler campaign. That could rebound and win some Tory support in the final vote.

Odds Were 2-1 Now 4-1

Parmjit Dhanda:

Engaging Hustings presentation. His hopes are realistically modest but he has gained attention and respect from his campaign. He is likely to be eliminated or he will withdraw after the first ballot.

Odds Were 25-1 Now 20-1

Alan Hazelhurst: Good but familiar Hustings performer. Has no convincing record as a reformer and he is associated with the Michael Martin regime. More 'singed' than other candidates by the expenses revelations. Says he would be a 'steady hand on the tiller'. Not what's wanted. We need to send the vessel off steaming in a new direction.

Odds Were 10-1 Now 15-1

Richard Shepherd: His hustings speeches have convinced the doubters that he is an alien. No convincing grasp of events in the world of this century. Is likely to be eliminated in first rounds.

Odds were 25:1 Now 50:1

Michael Lord: Hustings friendly, identifies 'modesty' as his main weakness. Has reminded MPs that he is the most reactionary candidate. He had hidden his technicolor bigotry behind his role as Deputy speaker.Another one who will walk the plank early

Odds Were 20:1 Now 40:1

Total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan = 169   

Century - plus one

Violet Lawrence is 101 today.

The best part of being 101 is that 'I have nothing to do and all day to do it' she told me. Royce Gardener M.B.E. toasted Mrs Lawrence. He is a triumph and inspiration for all pensioners. Royce was a policeman for thirty years and he has been retired for 34 years. For most of those 34 year, I believe, he has been running the splendid pensioners' association in Caerleon and the Police Pensioners Association.

Violet's late husband was the first mobile policeman in the then Newport Police Service in 1927. First he had a motorcycle. Then one with a sidecar that he used to ferry inspectors about. After that he was first to proudly drive a police car.

Violet, pictured with her daughter, has been living in the Abbeyfield Residential Home in Caerleon for the past ten years. The home is unique is having an Anthony Hopkins lounge. His mother was once a resident and he made generous donation to the home.

Mrs Lawrence's daily routine is reading in the morning, some Mills and Boon plus historical novels. The afternoon is for walking and other light exercise. Soaps occupy her evening - especially her favorite Coronation Street. She quickly corrected me when I asked when she was married in Pontnewynedd. 'It was Pontnewydd,' she said 'and it was in 1929.

She talked about the war,  she told me, 'It was a waste to build the shelter in our home in Pontnewydd. the Zeppelins never reached there.' In her life, of course, there were two wars.

Have a great birthday Mrs Lawrence.

From the top

The Newport City Centre campus is shooting up - or perhaps down.

It's a curious building technique. They appear to be building the roof first. The rest of the structure is supported by jacks and the overhanging canopy is now being put in place. While other city centre developments are on hold, it's heartening to see the speedy work on this iconic building. It is situated between Newport's  fine new boulevard and the River Usk which here has the second rise and fall of tide in the world.

Looking forward to Newport Nouveau.

Behind you

Great to welcome Chris Carter to the Terrace.

He is one of the youngest new members of Newport West Labour Party.  We had a great natter about how we can put the party - and then the world, to rights. By luck, the oldest Labour MP Dennis Skinner was on the Terrace.

A combination of Chris's youth and enthusiasm and Dennis's experience and fireworks would be the  perfect medicine to revive the Labour Party's fortunes.

1988 Cartoon

This cartoon was e-mailed to me this evening. It was the work of a cartoonist at the Newport Eisteddfod in 1988. Flattering? I have been trying to grow old gracefully since then.

There were a few cartoons of Gwent politicians on show. I can remember this and another that showed me as very black bulbous spider. I wonder what happened to that.  This is probably more accurate. The artist re-discovered it lying in a drawer. I am arranging to get hold of it.

Finest and Foulest

An unexpected bonus from the expenses scandal is the new exposure of my finest and foulest time in parliament.

It was financially painful but morally uplifting. It cost me £35,000 but it was worth it because I did the right thing. In my expenses is a claim that staggers the reader. It is for £10,500 for professional services. This is drawn on an insurance-like fund of up to £25,000 that MPs have to defend themselves against charges of libel. Nothing can be claimed from it unless it can be proved that the case is wholly, exclusively and necessarily the result of parliamentary duties.

It not an insurance against personal claims. My campaign was against companies popularly known as ambulance chasers. They offer advice to assist claims of compensation. When the claims are successful they charge anything from 10% to 50%  of the compensation as their fee.  I was campaigning in parliament against firms who I was convinced were making unjustified charges that denied claimants their full compensation. Charges of up to 15% were defined as reasonable by Which? The companies I criticised charged between 20% and 50% for advice much of which is freely available from Which? and the FSA.

In the past, I have campaigned against rip-offs in the financial world including endowment mortgages, pensions miss-selling  and debt bundling frauds. While I was fire-proof in what I said in parliament, I was open to a libel cases for what I said outside. A comment attributed to me in a specialist newspaper with a tiny circulation of about 5,000 was the alleged libel. The firm involved  claimed that a generally accurate comment I made  about 'firms charging up to 50%' applied to them. They charged about 25%.

I knew I had done nothing wrong. For months I refused to back down. In my judgment, this was an attempt to kill a wholly justified campaign against the exploitation of those who are financially unsophisticated. I was advised that I had an 80% chance of winning if the case went to court. But there was no guarantee. It depended on the disposition of the judge and other uncontrollable factors. I could lose. The costs that I could pay, if the case went to court, were estimated at between half a million and a million pounds. I am not a gambler. The costs were being racked up at a rate of £thousands every week.

I threw in the towel when the cost reached £44,000.  It was the only way of ending the nightmare. Of course there was no significant damage to the company although there initial claim was for £300,000.  The sum they finally agreed in damages was a relatively trivial £1,000. I believe it was my silence they were seeking. This was pressure by costs. Mine were £10,000. Theirs were £34,000. That was a total bill for me of £45,000.

I had some protection in the Commons but it did not run to £45,000 and certainly not to a million pounds. The Commons Authorities and the Inland Revenue accepted fully that my campaign was wholly in line with my parliamentary campaigning. That paid my defence costs. It did not help with the damages and the company's costs. I have never  regretted my stand although I will handle it in a different way next time. These risks go with the parliamentary territory. I had been burnt but I am proud of the stand I took.

I wrote to all MPs after the incident. Dozens wrote back. Many had suffered attempts to silence them with libel charges. In spite of the present money-grabbing image of MPs, I have a long list of MPs who lost large sums of money in pursuit of courageous and worthy aims. Some MPs were successful. Many were not. 

This is the purpose of parliamentary privilege. I have used it three times. Once was against a person planning to reopen a clapped-out coal power station in my constituency. I had a special debate in which I detailed his past business career and questioned  his suitability to open a new potentially polluting enterprise. He left the country and the business collapsed.

The second was a debate on a man who wished to open a children's recreational centre in my constituency. He had the misfortune in that several of the premises of his previous businesses had burnt down. He left town but not until after he had attempted to assault me. Both of these were successful uses of parliamentary privilege. I am pleased with the results.

But I remain satisfied that I stood up to the relentless pressure of those who sue. All I lost was money. No-one should be in politics if their main goal is financial. I emerged from the ordeal poorer, but with my integrity intact and my head held high.

Thanks to the expenses scandal, more of my constituents can read the details of the case and make their own judgments.

*  The £10,500 bill was included in my annual claim for allowances.  In that year they added up to a low total. I was 452nd in the table of 650 MPs, very well below average.

Nano scandal

At last, I have had my call on expenses from the Telegraph.

It arrived at mid-day today. Sadly I will disappoint some of my constituents. Newport West will be a footnote not a headline in this saga. I have done nothing to merit the lurid, colourful and comic antics of my fellow MPs.  There is no £91 spent on rock salt to kill stampedes of marauding snails. Nor have I claimed £5 for a programme at the Glyndbourne Opera or even £150 for bottles of whisky to advance my charitable work. 

My exceeding minor offence in that I was not reimbursed for my 'second home' television licence in 2006, but I was reimbursed twice in 2007. My staff spotted this inadvertent error and I repaid it immediately.

Sorry for being so boring.

'MPs underpaid' shock

Public opinion is already radioactive against MPs. Luckily few noticed the provocative comments at yesterday's PASC meeting.

Bill Cockburn, head of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), said he believed parliamentarians were underpaid .  Until this year the Commons voted to decide its own pay, but the SSRB has now taken on responsibility for setting increases, based on a range of other jobs.

Cockburn told the us it would also be carrying out a “broader” review of remuneration after the next General Election.

“What we have said in the past on MPs, and it is always politically difficult to increase it, but as we have found in the past, in our view MPs' pay is 10%-15% below what it should be,” he said.

I was delighted that Bill Cockburn agreed with a suggestion that I have already tabled to Kelly's review. MPs who engage in remunerated outside work should have their salaries cut. They cannot do two full-time jobs.

At least that final idea will win popular support.

Two stage probe

What goes on in Downing Street?

The place is packed with advisors. How many contributed to the blunder of announcing a 'secret' inquiry into the Iraq War.  I first heard the rumours last weekend. I did an interview on mid-day on Monday on BBC News. Parts of it were used on BBC news bulletins later that day. 

Speaker Martin did not call me after Gordon Brown's announcement in the Chamber. He is entitled to his vengeance. The toadies on the Labour side were called. They praised the foolish decision. Rightly the media ignored them and broadcast the towering rage of Gordon Prentice.

At eight in the evening I had my chance to ventilate on BBC News. In the hope of trying to inject a note of optimism I said I thought the privacy decision would be reversed. I knew that my Select Committee PASC was to say today that only a public inquiry can restore public confidence. We did that at noon today. 

 We are asking for a unique style of inquiry

' We recommend that consideration be given to splitting the inquiry into two stages: the first stage to concentrate on the British decision to go to war; and the second stage to consider the broader lessons from the conflict and its aftermath.'

The first stage should aim to concentrate not on the reasons for the war - but the details of how Britain was dragged into a decision already taken by President Bush. The fall of Saddam and the deaths and destruction that followed in Iraq would have happened whether we were involved or not. The 179 UK deaths were the direct result of Parliament's decision in March 2003. Were we told the truth? Were the two million marchers right to protest?  This first stage could be a 'truth and reconciliation' one. It could provide closure to many of the families who feared their love ones died in vain.

Next week, parliament is likely to be debating this. By then I hope that cross-party agreement could be reached. It should have been done before the announcement was made. Our involvment was probably the worst foreign affairs blunder of our generation. It cannot be smothered with a botched inquiry. I hope Downing Street will follow all PASC's requests.

We also reinforce the call for openness;

• Inquiry proceedings should as a rule be held in public, with only very limited exceptions to consider the most sensitive evidence. Decisions to conduct particular proceedings in private should be made by members of the inquiry itself, not by the Government.
• It is wrong in principle that the executive alone should determine the terms of this inquiry, when the conduct of the executive is a central part of what the inquiry will have to consider. Parliament should be given a formal role in establishing the inquiry, to help secure the inquiry’s legitimacy. There should be a debate and free vote in the House of Commons on the Government’s proposals for the inquiry.
• The inquiry would benefit from the appointment of additional members with political experience, as a minority of its membership, to provide the necessary perspective on political judgements it will have to consider.

Tony Benn -Blogger

Yesterday I tried to persuade Tony Benn to blog.

He agreed he has  something to say every day. While he has kept a diary for most of his life, he has been reluctant to blog. He seem to be persuaded. He had dropped into Portcullis Hoes yesterday where a portrait of Tony in his study is on display. He is sitting on a chair that was owned by Keir Hardie. The portrait appeared as a cover to one of his books.



I'll keep nagging until Tony starts blogging.

Change your mind Gordon

 

I was being a tad optimistic when I said on BBC News on Monday evening that I thought Gordon Brown would change his mind and hold a public inquiry. The interviewer was understandably sceptical. But there is a good face saving escape route.

  

Tomorrow my Select Committee (PASC) will consider our report on the Iraq Inquiry. I am urging that  the Inquiry should report in two stages:  Stage 1 would consider the fundamental issue of identifying the truth, and concentrate on the British decision to go to war.   Stage 2 would consider the broader lessons from the conflict and its aftermath. Stage one would be a Truth and Reconciliation inquiry that could answer the questions that still torment the relatives of the fallen. 

 

Secondly I am pressing that the Inquiry should publish all documentation and evidence on an Inquiry website, on the lines of the very successful principle adopted by the Hutton Inquiry.

STOP PRESS: Both amendements  were accepted and PASC's report will be published immediately.

 

 

 

Unity of a shared threat

This has never happened before. Well not in my 22 years here.

The MPs dining room in the Commons is run on apartheid rules. Labour at the west end, Tories at the east and LibDems in the middle.  Tonight Gordon Prentice and I shared a table with four Tories including two aspirant speakers Patrick Cormac and Alan Hazelhurst. We all enjoyed this unique experience and decided we would like to do it again.

It followed a Hustings where all candidates except Anne Widdecombe  addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party. They all spoke well.  One questioner hailed their relaxed performances and said he would be happy to have any one of them as Speaker.

Perhaps the most interesting answers were to the question, 'What is your greatest weakness in this contest?' Michael Lord said it was his 'modesty'. George Young said that he has 'privatised the railways'. Alan Beith said 'I am a Liberal Democrat.' 

Patrick Cormac won new friends among Labour MPs by reminding us that he was one of very few Tories who voted against the introduction of the Poll Tax in Scotland.   John Bercow was slick and faultless. The Daily Mail, in the shape of Quentin Letts, has taken against John. That should give him a boost from Labour ranks.

The mood of parliament has been profoundly changed. It's the unity of a shared threat. People got on better in the war. All MPs are under assault on expenses. It's natural that we now have more in common than we did previously.

Two of the diners at our ecumenical table tonight have been singed by the expenses scandal. There was unity in the irritation against Christopher Kelly who appears to have reached a conclusion on his expenses probe before he has examined a page of evidence.

I'll keep you posted on future multi-party dining. Another revered but foolish tradition crumbles.

Kind Michael

First he was destroyed. Now he is feted with lavish praise. This is a strange place.

Speaker Michael Martin was forced to resign or face humiliation. Few voices were raised in his defence. Today he was extravagantly praised for over an hour by all party leaders and several friends. Hypocrisy? No. There is genuine affection for Michael and admiration for his 'pastoral' role. 

No Speaker before him had adopted his agony aunt role. The word 'kind' was on everyone's lips. Michael Martin did not go quietly. He read a statement that said MPs were to blame for the mess. That is true. But it is time for him to go.

Nothing to hide

Great play is being made today that published redacted pages on expenses hide guilty secrets on addresses, flipping  and tax payments. This is all about the Additional Costs Allowance. Getting my retaliation in first can I emphasise that I have never flipped homes, no claim have been made for my main home in Newport. My second home has always been a London flat. The address is Beaufoy House, Regents Bridge Gardens, Vauxhall and I have paid all my taxes including capital gains.

Anyone who wishes to see redacted pages is welcome to inquire. There are very few of them that have anything confidential in them.

Revolting Lords

The biggest revolt EVER by Labour Lords happened last night. When I blogged about the triumph of Lord Dale Campbell Savours and Gordon Prentice yesterday I did not know that a record 42 Labour Lords had defied a three line whip.

Lord Geoff Rooker told me this morning that it was the first time ever that he had disregarded a Labour whip. He asked me to pass his congratulations to Gordon Prentice.' The letter he sent to every Labour Peer was perfect in 'argument,  content and presentation.' 

The situation is fascinating. Gordon has a real grievance against the use of a quarter of a million pounds of Ashcroft money being spent in his Pendle constituency by the Tories. Before the law changed it was illegal to spend money promoting a parliamentary candidate between elections. The cash spent in the few weeks before polling day is strictly controlled by law and limited to about £10,000 per candidate. In the Ashcroft funded constituencies, vast spending determines results before the campaign starts.

For reasons that are still a mystery, the Labour whips pressurised Labour Lords to vote against strict limits on contributions to parties by tax exiles. It is widely believed that Ashcroft does not pay British taxes. 42 Labour Lords thought otherwise. There is a theory that Labour and Tory whips did some deal to get the bill through. Independent thinking by 42 Labour  Lords created this wholly beneficial result.

There is terror from Labour whips that Labour MPs will follow the example of the Labour Lords when the bill returns to the Commons. Watch out for another deal that will restrict contribution from tax exiles without too much party embarrassment.

Bad medicine

Scientist MP Brian Iddon made his valedictory speech this morning as chair of the Commons Drugs Mis-use group. It was debate on the addictions and deaths caused by medicinal drugs.

The speech I made was based on this posting that I had today on this blog from 'John'.

'My 11 year old daughter was asked to make a list of 10 medicines along with her classmates. We as a family take no medicines not even aspirin and will if possible let nature take its course in any illnesses we may suffer. We are not so blinkered that if a serious illness struck us that we wouldn't take a proven pharmaceutical.

Anyway while her friends were busy filling in the list my daughter said to the teacher that she didn't know the names of any medicines. The teacher finding this quite unusual asked if she thought we as parents would like to exclude her from this part of the curriculum as he interpreted our daughters lack of knowledge with some sort of religious belief!!!!

Of course this wasn't the case. My main concern though was with the rest of her class who seemed to have no problem reeling off 10 medicines they or their parents take or have taken.'

What a striking example of how society has been conditioned to believe that there is a pill for every ill. For every moment of boredom, sadness, grief, pain, discomfort or melancholy we are taught to take a pill. Many do as much harm as good.

Benzos are still prescribed in huge quantities in spite of their legacy of addicted broken lives. The nation is over-drugged for ailments that will cure themselves naturally without side effects. I asked the Tory spokesman at today's debate whether a future Tory Government will act. It's easy to play tough against illegal drugs. The vested interest will not protest hiding behind their illegality. If the legal pharmaceutical industry see their profits threatened they will scream that Government is denying patients their drugs. 

I cannot see any future Government being that brave.

Secret Inquiry

On Saturday my select committee will report our views on the conduct of the Iraq Inquiry. I have read our proposed report. It is confidential until agreed by PASC on Thursday.

I cannot reveal its content. What I can say is that I do not expect much disagreement form Gordon Prentice and me. The report is very well informed.

Prepare for fireworks.

The Price of Life

NICE is right

A myth busting television programme on drugs will destroy the greedy claims of pharmaceutical companies.

New drugs are expensive and their supply is restricted leading to premature deaths. The  myth spread by the Pharmas is the cost of research determines price. It does not. Pharmas spend more on marketing than they do on research. Price is determined by market forces. Pharmas charge at the highest price that the market will stand.

This Wednesday at 9.00 on BBC Two the programme 'The Price of Life' will reveal the truth. The reporter spent a year interviewing all the main interests in the drugs business - including patients with terminal illnesses and their families. The repeated myth that heartless NICE denies help to the dying because of financial cuts.  Moronic media moralising is exposed as circulation-seeking hot air. Watching this should be compulsory for all editorial writers.

A crucial lesson is that drugs are not always best even though we have been conditioned to believe this. The quality of death is. One drug promoted for pancreatic cancer cost £16,000 a year, extended life expectancy by 12 days and produces adverse side effects in 10% of patients - including death. The drug side-effects often add to the indignity and distress of dying.

Instead of dumping more money into the pockets of pharmas, resources should be invested into the hospice movement. They provide comfort and dignity to the dying. Measurement of value should not be made on the total of days spent on this earth. A serene departure, surrounded by love ones, is a greater goal.

Two years ago one of my close relatives died in a hospice. She had two years advanced warning of her death. She lived life to the full with fortitude and laughter. There was an acceptance of the inevitable and no self-pity.  I was with her on the day she died. Three days earlier, she told me she was 'ready to go'. The weeks of relentless pain and helplessness had exhausted her. Her final days were comforting. She was mentally alert until the end. She was delighted to see the sun rise over the sea from her hospice window at Penarth. Her loved ones are grateful that she avoided a death tormented by a drug-induced nightmare of confusion. 

I believe we all want that. 

Foul-up

Politically it's inept. It's also  an insult to the pleas of the relatives of the fallen for an open inquiry.

I got my retaliation in first today at 12.00 on BBC Television. I blogged last week about the seminar that PASC held. The great and the good were very supportive of an open inquiry.

The justification is that the new inquiry will mirror the Franks Inquiry That was on a war in the Falklands that united the nation in support. The Iraq War bitterly divided the nation and the House. It needs a different solution.

There is very little secret information left after the publications of nearly all the secrets by the Butler and Hutton Inquiries. It would have been so easy to have an open inquiry that occasionally had secret sessions.

I still live in hope that good senses will prevail when Gordon Brown reads the PASC report on our seminar.

Lords lead

The Lords tonight have forced to debate an issue that the Commons' Speaker dodged.

Gordon Prentice had collected 220 signatures to debate foreign donations.  It would have restricted party donations from those who do not pay British Tax. There is one glaring example. The Speaker in the Commons refused to call the motion.

Lord Dale Campbell-Savours convinced the Lords tonight that this was a denial democracy. The Lords agreed by a large majority. The Commons must now debate this issue as a Lord's amendment.

Well done Gordon! Well done Dale!

MPs know best

Public opinion is up the pole on this one. MPs know best on who will be the best new Speaker.

An opinion poll shows that 44% of the 5,000 questioned had no opinion. Sensible of them to keep stum. A staggering 27% support TV star Anne Widdecombe. Alan Beith and John Bercow scored 1% each. Those are ludicrous judgments on the merits of the candidates. Anne would not be better than John. She certainly is not 27 times as good.

A correspondent has had a strop against me and in favour of the immaculate Anne. Deeply influenced by the herd instinct he denounces MP fiddlers as unfit to choose a new Speaker. The interesting argument is that the 650 sin-free saints who will be elected in May 2010 should make the choice. Perhaps not.

Selwyn Lloyd’s biographer approached Gordon Prentice in the early days of the plan to persuade Michael Martin to resign. Selwyn retired early because he wanted his successor to be elected by experienced MPs who knew the candidates well. Fresher MPs in a new parliament will be acquainted with candidates only by reputation of through the media.

Last time, Gordon Prentice organized his own Hustings. All the main candidates turned up, delivered their party pieces and answered questions. Michael Martin did not. When he was elected he confronted Gordon in the tearoom with ‘Ahhhh. Mr Hustings.’ Had he matched himself with the other aspirant speakers, his deficiencies would have been obvious and we might has been spared the travails of his speakership.

This time it will be better. Tomorrow’s Hustings will prove that.

Carry on scrapping

‘Oh no!’ I said last night, rejecting the invitation of Radio Five Live to join a wail-in on Labour’s internal rows.

I thought the plan was to bury all divisions after Monday’s meeting and not to self-indulgently wallow in the poison pit of internal rows.  Charles Clarke cannot be silenced. But his volcanic envy and rage is a solitary affliction. Andrew Rawnsley wonderfully mocked Milliband’s tormented public musings today.

‘Yet neither the foreign secretary nor the home secretary has come out of recent events covered in glory. Mr Miliband says he "thought about" resigning. You can't be almost courageous. Both are accused of having less spine than a jellyfish for not acting to put the prime minister out of Labour's misery when they had the chance.’

The stage-managing of the PLP is starkly revealed by the published minutes. Speakers indicate at the meeting their desire to speak. I signaled frantically at the start of the meeting and expected to be called as one of the first five speakers. I was the 20th.  Others were not called at all. The proof that the lists of speakers had been carefully choreographed to select six pro-Brown speakers for every anti was that the Chairman first called the Blair/Brwon groupie Stephen Ladyman. He was not in the room!

I had fondly believed that the days of stage managing PLP meetings had disappeared with Tony Blair. Alas no.

Surfeit of secrecy

Tuesday may well witness another eruption from Labour benches.

If a secret inquiry into the Iraq war is announced, the sago will hit the fan. There has been a lively response to my blog on PASC’s seminar. Relatives of the fallen want a public inquiry. Already secrecy has been abused to defend the backs of those who dragged the UK into an unnecessary war.

139 Labour MPs and six Tories defied three line whips to vote against. They should be vindicated. At least 50 Labour MPs who had previously voiced opposition were bullied, bribed or bamboozled into abstaining or backing the war. They too want the truth.

There are legitimate arguments for a secret Franks style inquiry. There are far more powerful ones for a public one.

Sexey place

It's like meeting a beautiful new friend.

Every fortnight I drive from Newport to Wookey Hole to visit my immediate family. The drive is joyous champagne for the soul.  My route is through the lovely Mendip villages of  Locking, Banwell, Winscombe, Axbridge,  Cheddar, Draycott, Rodney Stoke, Westbury, and Easton.

One of my relatives today suggested an alternative route today. It is even more beautiful. The B 3139 road is wide and traffic is light. It took me and my companion on an adventure into the unknown gorgeous territory of Burcott, Henton, Bleadney, Theale, Wedmore, Blackford, and Mark. Although I cannot find it on any map, I also drove through a hamlet named Sexey Street. There is also a Splott farm.

I have boasted that the secret of my interesting life is that I was born in Grangetown and educated in Splott. That’s the Splott suburb of Cardiff. It’s one of the words that have migrated across the Severn estuary. In Somerset they have ‘rhynes’. In Gwent we describes drainage ditches as ‘reens’. The word that describes a small estuary on the Welsh and English sides is ‘Pill’.

I look forward to repeating the journey with a camera next time. Just to prove that there is a place named Sexey.

Ignorance initiatives

Two attempts to keep us in ignorance are revealed.

Channel Four discovered a frightening near disaster that occurred two years ago. Nobody said a word about it. Why did our disaster-hungry tabloid press ignore it? As much as 40,000 gallons of radioactive water spilled out of a 15 foot long split in a pipe, some leaking into the North Sea. The pond water level had dropped by more than a foot  – yet none of the sophisticated alarms in the plant sounded in the main control room.

By the time of the next scheduled safety patrol at the Sizewell A plant, the pond level would have dipped far enough to expose the nuclear fuel rods – potentially causing them to overheat and catch fire sending a plume of radioactive contamination along the coastline.

A disaster narrowly avoided, a danger only spotted by chance - yet the company involved faces no prosecution.  If the nuclear fuel rods had caught fire, the resulting radioactive plume could have landed on villages from Southwold and Dunwich in the North, to Thorpeness and Aldburgh in the South, and inland to Leiston and Saxmundum.

The HM Nuclear Installation Inspectorate's  report  said that in this worst-case scenario, if the exposed irradiated fuel caught fire it would result in an airborne off-site release." The NII believes that there was significant risk that operators and even members of the public could have been harmed if there had not been fortunate  and appropriate intervention of a contractor who just happened to be in the right plant area when things went wrong."

 Sizewell Q: the expert's view.Channel 4 News speaks to nuclear engineer, John Large, who explains the significance of the Sizewell A accident. Mike Weightman Chief Inspector of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate speaks to Jon Snow. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/11/nuclear-waste-nuclearpower

Cocaine truth suppressed

Transform and Ben Goldacre exposed the power of the USA to keep the world in ignorance on drugs.  

The largest ever study of cocaine use around the globe was carried out in the early 90's by the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) Under pressure from the US its publication was suppressed when it became clear the report's findings were in direct conflict with the myths, stereotypes and propaganda that prop up the war on drugs (read the complete leaked report here).

WHO concluded:

• "Health problem; from the use of legal substances, particularly alcohol and tobacco, are greater than health problems from cocaine use.
• Few experts describe cocaine as invariably harmful to health. Cocaine-related problems are widely perceived to be more common and more severe for intensive, high-dosage users and very rare and much less severe for occasional, low-dosage users."

the coca plant

In a classic example of what happens when public health pragmatism collides with criminal justice dogma.The US representative to the WHO threatened to withdraw US funding for WHO research projects unless they 'would dissociate itself from the conclusions of the study' (read the relevant segment here). He said;

"The United States Government had been surprised to note that the package seemed to make a case for the positive uses of cocaine, claiming that use of the coca leaf did not lead to noticeable damage to mental or physical health, that the positive health effects of coca leaf chewing might be transferable from traditional settings to other countries and cultures, and that coca production provided financial benefits to peasants...

 The study also points out that 'anti-drug' campaigns are not necessarily effective, especially mass media campaigns based on scare tactics. The Americans could not take this statement of the obvious:

"That occasional cocaine use does not typically lead to severe or even minor physical or social problems ... a minority of people start using cocaine or related products, use casually for a short or long period, and suffer little or no negative consequences, even after years of use. ... Use of coca leaves appears to have no negative health effects and has positive, therapeutic, sacred and social functions for indigenous Andean populations."

The report was never officially published and according to the WHO it does not exist, however some of the project advisors are now pushing for it to be formally published. It has only emerged into the public domain because the relevant documents were leaked and found their way into the hands of the Transnational Institute drugs and democracy programme.

Transform has passed this report on to the forthcoming Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry on cocaine in the hope that it might usefully be used to inform policy discussions.

Next week I will corner some of the sensible members of the committee and attempt to rescue them from their ignorance.

Iraq Inquiry-first step

Yesterday a seminar took place that could decide the nature of the long awaited inquiry into the Iraq War.

It was under Chatham House rules. They prevent my telling you who said what but I am free to discuss the general issues. The Public Administration Committee (PASC) invited past Chairmen of other major inquiries, academics, journalists and prominent MPs.  I insisted on an invitation to representatives of the bereaved families. Reg Keyes was invited but unfortunately could not attend at the last moment.

I tried to make the points that I believe he would have made. What torments the bereaved families is the thought that their loved ones died in vain.  Bush’s war was certain to happen. But did Britain have to join it?  That decision was paid for with the deaths of 179 British soldiers.

Parliamentarians want answers too. For the first time ever,  we MPs decided with our votes to go to war. We are directly responsible for the deaths that followed. Were we deceived? What was the legal advice? What is the truth of the briefings on WMD? These core questions must be answered by the Inquiry.

All who spoke wanted to avoid an Inquiry like the Bloody Sunday one that took seven years. A time limit of a year was thought to be desirable and attainable. There is broad agreement that only a public inquiry would be acceptable. There has already been far too much secrecy. We have a promise from Jack Straw that the cabinet minutes will be revealed to the Inquiry. There are other fuller cabinet notes that should also be published.

5 privy councillors have conducted recent successful brief inquiries. It’s a useful number that allows majority decisions to be made. There is no one in public life who does not have a settled view on the rights and wrong of the Iraq War, so it will not be possible to find impartial individuals. There should a balance of views of those trusted to follow the evidence.

There is real difficulty in allowing two many lawyers to attend the inquiry. They have the advantage of simplifying the procedures but they can clog up the processes by excessive caution in defence of their clients.

An Inquiry is now certain and the details may be announced in days. PASC has taken the lead. The views of our seminar will be presented to Government and I am sure they will be gratefully received and followed.

Our Chairman Tony Wright MP said:

    "I am delighted that the Prime Minister is shortly to announce the Government’s long-promised Iraq inquiry, and we understand that the terms of this inquiry are currently being established. We thought it would be helpful to convene a seminar to harness the views of key figures in the debate, including the views of those involved in previous inquiries into Iraq.

  

  "The Iraq inquiry is a fundamental opportunity to explore issues about which there has been significant public disquiet for some time. The point that emerged most strongly from our seminar was the following: only if the inquiry is conducted in a manner which is legitimate and credible-and is seen to be so-will the public be assured that it is not a whitewash. In my own view, this will require a process of engagement on the inquiry’s purpose and conduct, and Parliament’s agreement to the form of inquiry that is proposed."

Total of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan = 168

Runners and Odds for Commons Speaker

To avoid any undue influence with the official odds, I have ignored them in deciding my own from my vantage point on the back bench of the Commons. This time it will be a secret ballot. Mo Mowlam said last time she was forced by the whips to change her support from Gwyneth Dunwoody to Michael Martin. The whips lose their control in a secret ballot. It will be a fairer reflection of the will of the House.

Alan Beith:Bright, cultured, breezy,  no enemies, a rich literary hinterland. Recently coasted along in neutral gear, enjoying  life and not taking the political fray too seriously. Has faded into the parliamentary background and became invisible. Sees politics as a spectator sport. Verdict: A fine Speaker.

Odds: 8-1

Menzies Campbell: Popular, respected and able. His spell as Leader of the LibDems diminished his stature. His previously image is now  fuzzy with geriatric edges. A crucifying heckle destroyed him when he once hesitated at Prime Minister Question Time, 'What are these people doing in my bedroom?' Verdict: Would exceed expectations as Speaker.

Odds 15-1

Margaret Beckett: Brilliant, revered parliamentary treasure, acerbic, survivor. Has buried her natural venom and charmed her relentless perpetual survival in high office, uber loyalty to Blair/Brown has neutralised her past radical reputation, excites respect rather than affection. Weakened by past reform-free record and suspicions of opportunism. Could steal some of Bercow's Labour votes. Verdict: An authoritative successful Speaker.

Odds 10:1

Patrick Cormack: Keeper of the Commons memory, unrivalled knowledge and love of Parliament. Fatally traditionalist-weakened by reform phobia. Fretted at  the abandoning of the Commons Top Hat as a modernisation too far.  As Speaker his reform dream could be the re-introduction of frock coats. A likely gold medallist in a competition for pomposity. Verdict: A fine Speaker for the 18th Century :

Odds 20-1

George Young: Distant, other-worldly persona of charm and strength. Has been the respected keeper of the Parliamentary conscience. His head-masterly lofty manner suggests a lack of warmth. Incurably associated with the dead 'Gentleman's Club' parliament. My choice last time. Verdict: A Great Speaker but a reluctant reformer.

Odds 8-1

Frank Field: Saintly, respected, diffident, has only one close friend and many enemies irritated by a surfeit of sanctity. More likely to be canonised than made Speaker. Loved by Tories for his serial dis-loyalism to Blair/Brown. Will attract few Labour votes. Clean hands on expenses. Tentative reformer who could be squashed by traditionalists. Lacks the big personality to command an unruly House Verdict: A respected but fragile Speaker.

Odds 6-1

Ann Widdecombe: Giant abrasive quick witted personality,  wayward parliamentary career. Missed her vocation as a Mother Superior; resourceful and abundantly talented. Has endeared herself to the House with her robust defence of mild excesses. Aspirant MPs shop steward. A turbo-charged unguided missile and super spinster. Could be either a brilliant ambassador for a mutated parliament or a figure of national ridicule. MPs are hungry for swift reforms, not a short term  Speaker. Verdict; A brilliant, exciting Speaker.

Odds 12:1

John Bercow: Prodigious intellect and memory, witty star performer, Once a sour and humourless Thatcherite. Has undergone a metamorphosis  after marrying well. Not into money, but into enlightenment and socialism. He has two young children. His family has sensitised and enriched his political persona. Now campaigns with passion to end the neglect of childhood illnesses and to relieve global poverty. Has the most impressive record of all candidates on seeking parliamentary reforms. Verdict: A brilliant Speaker 

Odds 2:1

Parmjit Dhanda: Popular, reliable, like many Brownite ministers, his sacking was as inexplicable as his appointment, a great constituency MP. Has come late into the race offering himself as an eloquent rebuttal of the election of BNP MEPs. Has no enemies. Could be an attractive second choice to many Labour MPs. Will suffer as a late candidate. Most MPs have already committed their support elsewhere.Verdict: A Good Speaker.

Odds 25:1

Alan Hazelhurst: Traditional Tory, a good unexciting Deputy Speaker, popular with some Tories. Will suffer through his association with the 'ancien regime'.  His prolonged period as the bridesmaid dulls his prospects of getting the top job. Was once thought to be too close to air industry interests. Verdict:  Sound but colourless Speaker.

Odds 10:1

Richard Shepherd: Impassioned, able, worthy, English nationalist, when excited speaks with a sob in his voice. His interests are far removed from those of most MPs. Judged to be an intriguing parliamentary oddity. A member of the small fraternity of MP smokers who huddle daily on the druggies area of the terrace. A traditionalist rather than a reformer. Verdict; A dedicated but eccentric Speaker:

Odds 25:1

Michael Lord: Friendly, personality-free hologram, politically inert. Part of the parliamentary furniture His long  years as a deputy speaker has de-humanised him. No-one remembers what his interests are. In an exhaustive ballot he could attract second and thirds choices as an 'A.N. Other". Verdict: A competent risk-free Deputy Speaker:

Odds 20:1

     

Steady as we sink

Five intelligent people with half their minds closed down led a Commons' discussion this morning.

They are all top people. Bill Rammell,  Defence Minister,  three powerful civil servants and the Ministry of Operations at the Ministry of Defence led a roundtable discussion on Afghanistan. They all inhabit their departmentalised world of half truth,  wishful thinking and settled delusion.

Without any sense of irony, Bill Rammell said we must sort of the drugs problem because '95% of the heroin in Britain comes from Afghanistan'.  Your point, Bill? These are the exact words used by Tony Blair in 2001. After eight years and 166 British dead there has been only one change - the price of heroin on the streets of Britain is the cheapest ever because of over supply.

The Head of the Afghanistan Drugs Unit was brightly optimistic. Eight years of total abject failure to reduce heroin production has not disturbed a brain cell inside her contented head. Everything will come out right in the end. It's all routine really. Just keep on  babbling idiocies and the drugs will one day disappear. The laughing Afghans will tend their carrots and potatoes and the streets of London will be drug free.

It's all la la land. The squeezed balloon example of Colombia is suppressed. Billions of American dollars and bloody drugs wars  squeezed the Columbian drugs trade which then ballooned in Peru and Bolivia. If Afghan drug production was eliminated, the heroin trade would increase in North Pakistan, Burma, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan... The whole vast region would be Columbiarised.

There was some patronising guff about Iran. Our Home Office people plan to visit Teheran and advise  the Iranians on how to deal with drugs. Iran has had 600 of their anti-drug officers killed in their  ferocious drug wars -100 last year. What will we tell them to do?  Try a bit of community policing?

This top  discussion was locked in a pre-Obama time warp. Their brains are frozen in the permafrost of the Bush-Blair years. Happily reality is charging over the horizon. Obama's new Nato Supremo General McCrystal had used the word 'defeat'. All the gains made in women's education and in an embryo democracy will disappaer if this failing war ends in a rout. Native insurgents win almost all wars against foreign  forces. It could be another Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam or the Russian departure from Kabul.

The only hope is that Obama will adopt practical attainable policies that will create an exit strategy. A deal with future rulers of the country could consolidate some of the gains made and end the bloodshed.

The message of today's meeting was 'Steady as we sink into deeper futility.' It's  frightening stuff from five otherwise sane and intelligent people.

Nuclear calamity continues

 In Sellafield, I have been attacked by local MP for Millon Jamie Reid.  He is former publicity person for the nuclear industry and he is now their main salesman for nuclear power in the Commons.

I tabled a Commons motion the closure of Thorp at Sellafield. One of three evaporators which process spent nuclear fuel was shut after an unexplained rise in radioactivity was discovered. 

Mr Reed raged: “The EDM is ill-informed and it is obvious there is no knowledge whatsoever of how Sellafield operates, its contracts, and its importance to the UK economy or why it does what it does. I have come to expect this of anti-nuclear MPs. I will be writing to Paul Flynn in the vain attempt to educate him on some scientific basics.” 

That was three weeks ago and no letter has arrived from the ill-informed Mr Reed. Last week the processing plant was shut down again. The local anti-nuclear Cumbrian group CORE claimed that Thorp’s future was now on a “knife-edge” and that Sellafield’s reassurances to workers last week were worthless. THORP will now shut for up to seven months. Not to worry. Sellafield limited are calling “a planned engineering and maintenance” shutdown. 

Still no letter from Mr Reed. I’d love to know what he is going to say, apart from, ‘I apologise.’

EDM 1533 

 

CLOSURE OF THORP AT SELLAFIELD

19.05.2009

Flynn, Paul 

That this House welcomes the albeit belated decision by the operators, Nuclear Management Partners and the owners, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, to close the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield; believes the disastrous decision of this House in 1978 to sanction the construction and operation of THORP by the then British Nuclear Fuels Ltd has caused hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to be wasted on the plant; recalls THORP has suffered a series of operational accidents including the one in July 2004 which led to its closure in April 2005, when the leak from a pipe carrying spent nuclear fuel dissolver fluid was finally discovered; calls upon British Energy to renegotiate its contracts for reprocessing Advanced Gas Cooled-reactor (AGR) spent fuel at Sellafield and to convert them into spent nuclear fuel storage contracts; and further calls on the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to open contract renegotiations with the customers of the foreign spent fuel presently in store at Sellafield for it to be conditioned, packaged and returned as unreprocessed radioactive waste to the respective countries of origin of the fuel.

J'accuse

More worrying news about the de-selection of Ian Gibson.

A fellow Labour MP told me that she had raised this unjust decision with a member of the Labour Party National Executive responsible for the deselection. 'We had to expel him' she was told, 'because he sold his flat and bought another one. After all it's public money.'

No, it's not. The money spent buying Ian's flat was all his private money. He has every right to sell the flat at his chosen price. It is his flat, not parliament's or the taxpayers. My informant told me that the National Executive are out to get the scalpes of MPs. This appalling ignorance by those who were judge and jury in Ian Gibson's case has resulted in the ending of the career of great backebencher.

There cannot be further cases like this.

200,030

At ten o'clock tonight the number of hits on this blog passed the two hundred thousand mark.

Starting quietly two years the daily number of visitors is between 500 and 2,000. There is gratifying numbers of wise and witty regular correspondents. It is well read by journalists who frequently take quotes directly from it. It's a good daily discipline for me to write a little. It has been very rewarding in testing ideas and learning new ideas from my correspondents. Thanks to you all. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Mass delusion rules

It's mass delusion that infected hundreds of intelligent people in the Commons tonight..

At the end of the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting , the majority of the 300 who crammed into a massive room believed that yesterday's election disaster did not happen.  It was the Elmer Gantry syndrome.  A powerful speech delivered with conviction turned intelligent minds to jelly. An MP in constituency where Labour came fifth in the Euro election was ecstatic with joy that Gordon has worked a miracle and electoral victory was attainable. From the depths of depression, manic optimism welled up. With just a little more effort election victory would be possible under the benign leadership of Gordon Brown.

I recall stories of people who hated Hitler's fascism who attended a rally and beame convinced after an assault by rhetoric that he was a demi-god. Gordon Brown is a great idealist and a good man. He has been been cruelly and unfairly maligned but he has made serious mistakes. He confessed last night that he had strengths and weaknesses.

It is puzzling that many of the leaders of the plot were absent. Where were James Purnell and Hazel Blears? They had resigned on principle and put their careers at risk. Why did they not turn up tonight to argue their case? 

I told the meeting that if Gordon had argued the case for expenses with the same conviction and passion that he used tonight, we would not have been having tonight's debate. There was a strong murmur of support when I asked what crime Ian Gibson had committed to deserve re-selection? What he guilty only of attracting too much space in the Daily Telegraph?

I charged Gordon with wreaking his own splendid proposals for expenses 'reform with the inclusion of the daft idea of the 'per diem' allowance. This allowed the press to portray us as greedy demanding extra money for MPs. It allowed David Cameron to present himself as the the 'Great Reformer.'

Jane Kennedy was present but silent. The alleged plotters including Graham Allen and Frank  did not speak. I was told today that the plotters did not contact MPs on the left. They did not want it to be a labelled a left wing coup. I was never contacted by them and neither were members of the Campaign group. They had plotted so cautiously, they failed to produce the promised list. If they cannot organise a coup, they deserve to fail.

To their credit Charles Clarke and Barry Sheerman braved the wrath of Committee Room 14. Unlike previous meetings none of us were barracked. The PLP used up all their venom hissing at Hazel Blears for rocking the boat on election day.

I tried to sugar my own criticism by praising Gordon's great work in opposition and Government.  That is a well earned tribute. But I also told him that others could present our policies more persuasively that he has done. He did not agree. I urged him to consider his own position and consider going in an orderly manner. This issue has to be resolved within 24 hours. Dragging out the open division for months would gravely damage the party.

The 'plot' is dead.  Fear of p45s in a few months time ruled. We are on a trajectory that could lead to political Armageddon. His speech promised that he is now going to listen. Most people in the room believed him.  

Oh dear.

Vintage Kinnock-sadly

 The twenty brief speeches from the floor ended on a lighter note.

With the collaboration of the chairman, Neil Kinnock was called last to provide a rallying rant. It started well with feigned vintage passion.

"Divsion carries the death penalty" was the bellowed message. It quickly reached a crescendo and the meeting was happy to cheer the old time religion. But the meeting had already been  going on for nearly an hour an a half. To the dismay of his listeners Neil talked over the applause and babbled on and on. There was murmuring among the group behind me. I reminded them that Neil  had spent his political life in the search for a full stop. He still has not found it.

 

He roared on, 'Schism, splits, disunity. Unity is the price of victory...'  No-one was listening.

Submission to Kelly

Written submission to the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Review of MPs’ Expenses by Paul Flynn MP

As the Member of Parliament for Newport West and a member of the Public Administration Select Committee I would like to  propose radical reform to the  system of expenses and parliamentary remuneration. This is essential to help restore the seven principles of public life to parliament (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership). 

The PASC recently investigated and published a report on lobbying  which is relevant  to your Committee’s review and which is referred to below (Lobbying: Access and influence in Whitehall  HC36,  5 January 2009)  as is PASC’s current enquiry into executive pay in the public sector.

Second Home Allowance

1. Although there has been some misleading and inaccurate coverage  of the  housing allowances available to MPs,  and what it can be used for, there has been justifiable public anger because  Members of all parties have been exploiting the allowances system for items unconnected with parliamentary duties.

The second home allowance is designed to allow MPs a London dwelling to provide access to parliament. The costs are meant to be spread over mortgage interest, council tax, utilities and living expenses.   In effect, the allowance is a cash benefit for those MPs (the vast majority) with constituencies beyond  commuting distance from Westminster who cannot afford the London accommodation. Why not therefore subject it to a ‘means test’?  A simple declaration of income should suffice to identify those who do not need  it.  Some MPs own several, in one case over twenty,  houses. Why should the taxpayer pay for housing in those cases?  Payments in future should match individual MPs’ needs or be incorporated at a reduced rate into salaries.
2. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, only homes in London should be accepted as second homes. There should be no allowance available on distant mansions, castles or their gardens and moats.  “Flipping” – that is to say the practise of changing the designated second home between properties in the Member’s  constituency, London or elsewhere, should not be allowed. 
3. An assessment of the comparative costs of purpose-built  campus-type accommodation, second homes, hotels and private rental should be made.    Purpose-built accommodation might be the simplest and fairest to administer in the long-run.
Moonlighting
4. An MP’s job is a full time one.  This principle should underpin all measures to reform the system of remuneration.  It is known that some MPs earn up to  £250,000 a year from “moonlighting”. Those who take additional paid employment which could be considered a second job  should declare the hours spent on these commitments, and the income received, so that voters can consider if they are able to  carry out the core job of an MP.  Parliamentary salaries should be adjusted to  reflect the additional income derived from second jobs.  There are former ministers who are still Members of Parliament who are paid for giving advice to industries for which they were formerly responsible.  Former Ministers and former senior civil servants should be barred from taking jobs in those areas in which they served.  PASC condemned this  ‘revolving door’ process (see Lobbying below) in January this year.

MPs’ Pensions

5. Pensions: MPs have to contribute usually 12 per cent  of total income to their pensions which are  based on their final salaries.  The pensions of MPs (and other public servants, such as the BBC) continue to improve while other occupational pensions are declining in value. This situation cannot continue and has been widely criticised by witnesses  to the  Public Administration Select Committee enquiry on pay in the public sector (oral evidence to PASC 21 May 2009).  MPs should not  have a pension system that is more favourable than those outside of parliament. 
Some years ago, in support of Chris Mullin, MP for Sunderland South,  I proposed that MPs’ salaries should be linked to the level of the basic pension. That would be fair and would concentrate  MPs’ interest on the level of the basic state pension.

Lobbying

6. As a member of the Public Administration Select Committee I fully supported our recent proposals for reform of access and influence by lobbyists to government, which has relevance to this enquiry (although the Report was published before the current expenses row).  It has relevance because public perceptions of certain kinds of lobbying activity have contributed to public cynicism in the political process: there is a perception that commercial corporations and organisations have an advantage over not-for-profit bodies, an advantage which is related to the amount of money they are able to bring to bear on the political process rather than the cogency of their case;  there is concern about the freedom with which people are able to move to and fro between roles in industry on the one hand and ministerial and civil service posts in which they can benefit those industries on the other: a process that has become known as the 'revolving door'; and there is concern about the use of 'lobbyists for hire' (who have no legal obligation to make public who their clients are) to keep secret from the public the identity of those involved in lobbying decision-makers.
PASC concluded that,  “In the current climate of public mistrust, voluntary self-regulation of lobbying activity risks being little better than the Emperor's new clothes.”  The Committee found the rules on lobbying loosely and variously interpreted such that former Ministers in particular appeared to be able to use  the contacts they built up as in office  to further a private interest. In other words, the present arrangements allow the influence of MPs (and peers)  to be bought, which is  potentially corrupting – or worse. This is unacceptable, particularly where the former ministers continue to be paid as sitting Members of Parliament.
7. Among its recommendations, PASC  has demanded full transparency of contacts between those working in the public sector and those attempting to influence their decisions. An  online register of  lobbying activity which could be kept regularly updated would make it clear in what capacity a Minister was acting (ie as a Minister, a Member of Parliament, a party politician, or a private individual). The register would record:
 the names of the individuals carrying out lobbying activity and of any organisation employing or hiring them, whether a consultancy, law firm, corporation or campaigning organisation.
in the case of multi-client consultancies, the names of their clients.
information about any public office previously held by an individual lobbyist—essentially, excerpts from their career history.
a list of the relevant interests of decision makers within the public service (Ministers, senior civil servants and senior public servants) and summaries of their career histories outside the public service.
information about contacts between lobbyists and decision makers—essentially, diary records and minutes of meetings. The aim would be to cover all meetings and conversations between decision makers and outside interests.

This submission to Sir Christopher Kelly’s  enquiry goes beyond the immediate issue of expenses but it  is I believe essential that effect is given  to root and branch reform of the financial  arrangements for MPs in order to restore public trust in parliament.

Paul Flynn MP
4 June 2009

May 2009 Expenses

In the interest of transparency my expenses claims will be published here. The claim for May 2009 is summarised below.

Member’s reimbursement form.

Communications Surgeries and other adverts Voice Magazine £115.
Regular reports and constituency newsletters: Nil
Websites: Nil
Equipment lease etc: Nil

Personal Additional Accommodation:

For registered second home in Vauxhall London,

Nights spent away from main home 13.
Mortgage interest £215.00, Utilities Water £25.98, Electricity £27,00, Council Tax £93.00, Television service £16.50.
Fixtures, fittings, furnishings, Nil
Maintenance/repairs: Nil

Administration & Office expenditure, travel,

Cost of accommodation, Nil,
Equipment and supplies, Vodafone £120.27, Pipex and Virgin phone and computer broadband: £45.81, T.Mobile £83.90, , Banner Business Supplies £35.72, BT phones £204.75
Travel Cost Paddington to Newport Nil
Work commissioned/ bought in services: Nil
Travel mileage; Newport to Westminster 5 journeys; constituency mileage 274

Fight fear with fear

   

Groups of human being often behave in strange ways. There is certainly a phenomenon of mass delusion. Infected by a powerful myth, groups of individual can act irrationally. In cases of religious sects, this has occasionally led to mass suicide.

Labour MPs are a group under great strain. The daily drip-feed of possible shame and humiliation from the Daily Telegraph jangles the nerves. The imminent threat of more disclosures of expenses indiscretion continues. Mid-June is the expected date of the publication of the full details of members’ claims. Who know what mistakes and oddities may expose MPs to mockery and baying from the mob?

On Monday a decision on the leader of the party must be made.To sign or not to sign the round robin. The wrong move could lead to political suicide. All evidence points to electoral advantage if Alan Johnson replaces Gordon Brown. Tonight’s Channel Four poll claims that 54% of the usually loyalist Labour Party members favour a change. (see rwendland's comment below) The local election results confirm some of the warnings of collapsing Labour support. If the party comes third or fourth in the Euro polls, a shudder of fear will convulse the Parliamentary Labour Party.

The unlikely Brown-Blairite dominant cabinet group are defending themselves with the threat that a new leader must mean an early election. That could result in the sack and political oblivion for half of the PLP. Fight fear with fear. When the full horror of the Euro results are published. MPs will have restless night before Monday's decision.

The likely outcome is that a delusion of optimism will rule. That's how Michael Foot avoided being replaced by Dennis Healey in 1983. Although all rational evidence is that Labour is heading towards an electoral abyss, manic optimism will persuade some that a bridge across it will magically appear. In its fragile mental state the PLP will seize a comforting delusions and the Labour sect may opt to advance towards political suicide.

That’s the way it’s going.

D-Day

Newport’s D-Day celebration churns up boyhood memories.

I can vividly remember the long build-up to D-Day. The concentration of American Forces in Wood Street in Cardiff, the increased military traffic and the constant guessing game of when D-Day would be. The day was warm and sunny and I clearly remember my own happiness and relief at the prospect of an end to war as I skipped down from Penarth Road to Thomas Street in Grangetown to collect chips for the family meal.

 The Newport commemoration started quietly two years ago. In order not to build up the event to rival Remembrance Sunday, MPs and AMs last year were present but we did not lay wreaths. That has now changed. This year the numbers attending had trebled and the MPs and AMs laid wreathes. The ceremony was dignified and simple and a great credit to the organizers.

Last summer I visited Bayeux and the Normandy beaches. The French lovingly cherish the memorials of the invasion. The memories stirred up by the anniversary are profound and disturbing. But there is great satisfaction in recalling that we stood today to remember and honour the courage and sacrifices of a senior generation.

Houdini Cameron

While the good MP Ian Gibson is maligned, the guilty David Cameron portrays himself as the the reformer. Peter Hitchens has a different but entirely accurate view.

"The expenses scandal had reached – as it should have done from the start – the opulent front gates of Mr Cameron. 

We had, it was revealed, paid for those gates. And paid, and paid. For a weekend home in a constituency 75 miles from London, a distance that many of his own electors (and many others, too) must commute daily, he required from us an interest-free mortgage of £350,000, so as to top up the £300,000 in cash he happened to have handy already.  And at the same time he was able to pay off the remaining mortgage on his London house, later sold for more than £1million.

Why is this all right? Why should we pay for this, with taxes gouged from our wage-packets on pain of imprisonment? We’d all love a £350,000 interest-free loan. But we know we’re not entitled to one. Why didn’t he know that?

What is morally different between asking us to subsidise his spacious luxury and paying for a duck house or a clean moat? In many ways, it seems to me worse, especially given the righteous, smarmy way in which he has driven other offenders from Parliament to save his own skin.

But this excellent story somehow died. The BBC, which reckons its beloved Blairism is safe in Mr Cameron’s hands, did its best to ignore it. The ‘centre Left’ and ‘centre Right’ Press wouldn’t pick it up and run with it. 

Justice and Injustice done

Welcome back Peter Hain.

He was the victim of malicious McCarthyite smear. The accusations were front-page headlines. His  exoneration was a paragraph on an inside page. Peter has a job to do as a convinced  devolutionist in the Wales office. His rehabilitation will be good for Labour and great for Wales.

Ian Gibson has gone.

He was censured for selling his ' taxpayer-funded' second home to his daughter for below market rates but his local party says he was badly treated. They are correct. This is a monstrous injustice. This is a cruel injustice. I have argued before that the flat was his – paid for by mortgage payments that came from Ian’s pocket. He was condemned because of the numbers of column inches devoted to him by the Daily Telegraph. Where are the definitions of which is a major offence and which is a minor one?

The irresistible conclusion is that Ian has been condemned because he is seen as a troublesome independently minded left-wing MP. He proudly lists his record of voting against the Iraq War and against all New Labour’s major errors. I was in the voting lobby with him on all these issues. This smacks of a witch-hunt. It will inflame the anger of all Ian friends. He was a model backbencher who achieved great things.

Will he stand as an Independent Labour in the bye-election? He would win if he did.

Flounced out

The out-right winner of for the prize for foot-stamping petulance goes to Caroline Flint. She is one of nature’s incurable flouncers. Her resignation letter dripped with wounded vanity and un-sisterly malice.

It might have some substance if she had been a better minister. She would have benefited from taking a lesson in resigning with dignity from James Purnell. His letter was generous, pointed and precise. His political career has peaked with his resignation. Will we ever hear from him again?

Malpas Court triumph

Between wall-to-wall media interviews I fitted in three hours at Malpas Court School this morning.

It was a very special day with a visit from six principals of school in the Indian Province of  Ramshedpur.. There are all close to the Tata steel company that sponsors their vast schools. They cater for up to 3,500 children aged from 3 to 18.

The Schools Assembly was a magnificent display of talent. The highlight was a vigorous re-enacted of the Chartist march on the Westgate. I talked to the older children about the importance of the Chartists – laying stress on the importance of wages for MPs.

This was a proud day for Malpas Court School that greatly impressed our Indian visitors. Llongyfarchiadau athrawon a phlant.

Ardderchog!

Purnell's fatal push?

James Purnell has spoken for many in the Parliamentary Labour Party.

There is great affection and loyalty to Gordon Brown. He has been cruelly and often unfairly maligned. He has great strengths and some fatal weaknesses. The expenses scandal is a parliamentary crisis.  But the public largely blame Labour. Some of the worst offenders have been Labour MPs but many Conservative offences have been shameless and colourful. But the spirited interventions of  David Cameron and Nick Clegg have deflected blame from their parties. Gordon Brown has been heavy footed, inconsistent and defensive. 

There is now a wide coalition of MPs from all wings of the Labour Party who are sadly convinced that a change of leadership in now unavoidable. It is hoped that Gordon will accept the will of the PLP and agree to a swift  orderly exit. 

The  Labour Party has always been reluctant to drop leaders. The Tories brutally dumped Thatcher. But Labour clung on to Michael Foot in 1983 even though Dennis Healey would have been an electoral asset to us.  For the sake of  the millions who benefit from the work of the Labour  Party in Government we must select a new national leader.

Rush to rant

It's enough to restore my faith in ranting.

 Last night at a reception following the WEU meeting at the Palais D'Iena, I was aware of a group of young people edging their way towards me. They were strangers but we were soon in an animated conversation.

The secret in making good speeches is not to change the speech but to change the audience. The WEU Assembly had not previously heard my impassioned views on Afghanistan. The anger shows. 

Originally I bastardised the Charge of the Light Brigade poem in March 2006. I was using hyperbole to warn that stirring up the hornet's nest of Helmand was a blunder equivalent to the most unforgettable calamity  of the Crimean war. Now, we know, it's worse. 118 British soldiers died in the charge of the Light Brigade. Since March 2006 an additional 159 British soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Again our soldier lions are being led over the abyss by ministerial and military donkeys. It's impossible  to speak of these tragedies without emotion.  The group of young people who approached me last night are all working for the Western European Union. They are very bright interns who write the high quality WEU reports. Politicians are the named 'rapporteurs' who receive the plaudits. In some cases they contribute little except to add their signature when the writing is completed.

 Last night's group of five interns originated from three countries. All were enthusiastic for a fresh approach to the present war of futility in Afghanistan.  They challenged the orthodox views on a war without end or purpose. Kindly they said that only LibDem Mike Hancock and I contributed fresh thinking to a debate clogged with ossified thinking and group delusions. 

 Thank you very much Juliet and friends. I promise more ranting

MPs expenses-next steps

The following advert will appear in tomorrow's South Wales Argus.

Thanks to all those who contributed to the public meeting I called last week to discuss MPs expenses. Your suggestions  will be used in my submission to  Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee. Further ideas are invited. 

Means Test: There has been outrage because many millionaire MPs have been milking parliamentary allowances for items unconnected with parliamentary duties. Payments in future should match individual MPs' needs or be incorporated at a reduced rate into salaries.

Lobbying must be cleaned up. Present arrangements allow influence to be bought. It is potentially corrupting - or worse. I am  pressing for mandatory disclosures and transparency.

Double Jobbing: An MP's job is a fulltime one. Those who take outside jobs should have their moonlighting hours declared and their parliamentary pay reduced. Former ministers and top civil servants should be barred from taking jobs in the areas in which they served.

Pensions: MPs pensions are based on final salaries. Many other occupational pensions are declining in value. MPs should not have a pensions  more favourable than everyone else.

MPs pay should be linked to the level of the state basic pension.

Heatmap (above) show levels of claims. the lighter the colour the more modest the claim. Newport West is the yellow one above the B in Bristol. Details of my past and current claims are available on                                                              www.paulflynnmp.co.uk

First cock-up

The LibDems are in  front with the first  Speakership campaign embarrassing error.

An engaging letter from LibDems aspirant Speaker Alan Beith arrived claiming that his manifesto was attached. Opening the attachment revealed a complete lists of members of parliament's select committee.  Huh?

Within a hour the grovelling apology and the correct attachment arrived. The LibDems have not quite got the hang of this hi-tech stuff. The apology said how easy it is to 'press the wrong button.'

Never put them in charge of a nuclear war.

Defeat in Afghanistan.

It's the first time that any American has used the 'd' word about Afghanistan. A refreshing wave of reality is washing away the numb self-delusion and complacency.  As recently as last year, I was assured by an official in the Pentagon, that the war in Afghanistan will 'last for generations.' 'Victory' was then the foolish Nato dream.

 

Yesterday, Nato's next commander  said the 'West can lose the war if it fails to gain the support of the people of Afghanistan.' General Stanley McChrystal has been appointed by President Obama. His main worry is civilian casualties.

A letter to me from Foreign Secretary David Miliband two months ago says that NATO and US troops were responsible for 237 civilian casualties in 2008. The insurgents are blamed for 973 deaths. The UN calculate 826 civilian casualties to pro-government forces and 1160 to insurgents. There are other figures provided by Non-government organisations that are even bigger.

Today I used McChystal's warning in a speech at the meeting of the Western European Union's main Assembly. We were debating a report by two French MPs.  The threat of a Nato Vietnam is real. 

Obama's bracing talk of an exit strategy has not yet got through to the WEU. My speech was one that would be familiar to all who regular follow this blog. It was answered with a  snide contribution by Dennis MacShane who wearily said that he had heard me say these things before. I opposed the war in Helmand, he  claimed,  in the same way as I had opposed Nato's intervention in the Balkans. This is an utter fiction. It was tactic to undermine what I had said in the minds of MPs from 40 European countries.

 I got a denial in the transcript of the meeting through a point of order. Very naughty of Dennis to make up his facts. I am sure there will be apology in the post.

Resign in malice

The worst crisis for a generation for Labour?  Or perhaps for ever? I took part in a discussion today on Radio Five Live on the precipitate resignation of Hazel Blears. Matthew Parris and Jackie Ashley were forecasting deep doom for Labour and worse for Gordon Brown. 

It's impossible to reasonably disagree. But no-one is going to get a single negative comment out of me on the eve of elections. I urged anyone who had ever voted Labour not to be distracted by ephemeral events of today. European MPs are for four years. Everyone should  vote for the serious candidates for local authorities and for the European parliament on their merits and not be influenced by the present turmoil.

Why did Hazel go today? It's impossible to miss the malice in the timing. There is story that's it's a plot by the sisterhood to pitchfork Harriet Harman into the premiership. BBC's David Cornock rang in pursuit of a 'Round Robin' calling for Gordon Brown's resignation. I stuck with my Trappist vow.  

Very few MPs will be playing those self-defeating games. Friday is soon enough for that sort of talk.

Walking the plank

Where will the dividing lines be drawn on MPs expenses sins?

Is Hazel Blear 'offences' of not paying her Capital Gain Tax or for flipping her home the benchmark for ministers and shadow ministers? Both acts are legal, within the tax and Green book rules. Will Brown, Cameron and Clegg sack all their spokespeople who have committed the same 'offences'? There seem to be a great many of them.

I was stung to hear that Ian Gibson has been deselected by the Star Chamber court. Partly because he is a pal and I value his parliamentary work over that of most members. But his 'offences seem to minor'. He treated his second home as his own property because he has paid every penny of the mortgage payments on it. That would entitle him to allow his family to stay or to sell it to her. It was his flat. 

There is a problem if his family was benefiting from payments for utilities enjoyed by his family. A compensatory re-payment of that would be a reasonable way of accounting for that. De-selections seems a harsh judgement. If this is applied to all MPs in all parties there may be large numbers deselected.

Just for the record my flat is for my sole use. 

Total of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan = 166

It's now party political..

The latest attack on Alistair Darling is party political. Out of the blue on Friday Vincent Cable delivered a stinging new attack on Darling. Why? The accusations against him were published weeks ago. It is not beyond the bounds of political skulduggery that Cable might have been tipped off that the Telegraph was about to smear Darling again. I can see no other explanation for Cable's timing.

Yesterday I was called by Radio Four. They wanted a Labour voice to put the boot into Darling and call for his resignation. The basis of such a call was laughable and I agreed to say so on air. They found a Scottish Labour voice to condemn Darling. Even he relied on the alleged past sins of 'flipping homes.' There is very little substance in the new accusations.

Like most MP flat dwellers, Darling pays a biannual service charge in advance. Mine is  about £800. Selling a home inevitably involves an untidy arrangements of bills and deciding who is responsible for what on the date of handover.  The easiest mistake to make is in such a situation. I accept entirely Darling's explanation that it was a genuine mistake. He did have a few other things on his mind at that time.

The Telegraph are out for another scalp. They sense that he may well be going in the cabinet re-shuffle and they are eager to claim credit for his sacking. In this case, they may have perversely strengthened and reinforced his position.  Brown may now hang on to him.

To sack him for this latest accusation would be wholly disproportionate. But the depth of guilt is determined by the extent of the publicity not the wickedness of the offence.

Spanish Ire

Another European parliament is divided on the subject of expenses.  The President of the Cortes has cut expenses to MPs attending international meetings. At a meeting in Paris today of the WEU, Spanish delegates are paying for their own fares and hotels. The Cortes is the most powerful governmental institution of the state. It is made up of a lower house, the Congress of Deputies, and an upper chamber, the Senate. 

 The retaliation has been fierce. The Cortes agreed with the principle in the constitution that the President should have a higher salary than MPs. But they are threatening to fix that salary at one Euro higher than MPs. They also are  considering turfing him out of the Presidential Palace.

There are few  outrages fiercer that that of politicians when they expenses are threatened.

Cure or quackery?

'It's all in the mind' the only chiropractor I have ever known whispered to me.

 

An article in the current edition of the New Scientist is worrying. While there is some evidence that straightening out the spine does have some benefits, there are also dangers.There have been several hundred cases of potentially very serious complications associated with this treatment. Extreme chiropractic manipulation of the neck can damage one of the two vertebral arteries that run roughly parallel to the upper spine and supply part of the brain. The consequence of such a "vascular accident" can be a stroke, and several deaths are on record. Such disastrous events are, of course, rare. Vigorous manipulation of the neck has resulted in a number of strokes. The New Scientist quote the unscientific faith that many chiropractors have in their ability to cure a whole range of diseases.

 

The origins are bizarre.  On 18 September 1895 Daniel Palmer, a "magnetic healer" practising in the American Midwest, manipulated the spine of Harvey Lillard, a janitor who had been partially deaf since feeling "something give in his back". The manipulation apparently cured Lillard of his deafness. Palmer's second patient suffered from heart disease, and again spinal manipulation is said to have effected a cure. Within a year or so, Palmer had opened a school, the first of many, and the term he coined, "chiropractic", was well on its way to becoming a household name.

 

A scientist of repute is questioning the claim's of chiropractors. Attempts are being made to silence him with threats of libel actions. Any evidence based medicine has nothing to fear from objective scientific enquiries. 

 

Perhaps chiropractors fear the truth.

Fickle

'Are you an MP?' was the question a man waving handcuffs asked anyone wearing a suit outside Parliament's carriage gates this morning.

 

'Are you one of those who has been stealing my money?' he continued. I am told that his plan was to stage a citizens' arrest on anyone who admitted to being an MP. There was a televisions camera filming the scene. In a text message in the afternoon MPs were warned of a 'demonstration' at Carriage Gates and advised MPs to use the House of Lords entrance. 

The age of deference is dead. I explained today that I had to wear a suit on a hot day because I am a banker. That's ok. A couple of months is a long time in the public's demonisation.

Boomerang rhetoric threat

I must give up reading the Telegraph. I must deny myself the Schandenfreude. It also means ridding myself of the guilt feelings that I should not be reading other peoples’ shopping lists and laundry bills. Reading  the fine details of minute MPs expenses is bordering on the prurient.

They are also getting dafter.  Tory Tim Yeo is headlined because of a cheap laptop that happens to be pink. So what? Tory Robert Walters is denounced for a low voting record. His explanation that he is ‘busy on European Committees’ is airily dismissed. He is doing the prestigious job of President of the Western European Union! Another Tory is denounced for buying food for his interns including chocolate valued at 54p. So what? All these claims are fair and legitimate. How much longer can the Telegraph dredge the trivia trough?

The paper is down to the dregs in attempting to nail Dennis Skinner for claiming for tax advice. Still not a word about whether any Tory is doing the same thing. Dennis has the lowest claim almost every year. But following their belief that all Labour MPs are crooks they highlight changes to his flat that were necessary after his triple by-pass operation. Dennis did not even claim the full amounts for those. This is shoddy stuff.

As an example of distorted news values, the media today devotes four times the space to Frank Cook’s fiver claim than they give to the two soldiers who died in vain in Afghanistan.  If the claim is true, Frank’s attempt to recoup a church offertory donation of £5 is manically mean or certifiably stupid. It stretches credibility beyond breaking point to believe that this was a serious request.

The giant lacuna in the Telegraph’s revelations is the lack of an assessment of David Cameron’s mortgage claims. Yes they have mentioned his £700 wisteria claim, but no analysis of how millionaire Cameron has fixed his mortgage to get the maximum amount out of his additional cost allowance. The exposure of the Tory Leader has come from the most unexpected source.

The Mail on Sunday rightly dragged the Tory leader personally into the expenses row. He paid off a loan on his London home shortly after taking out a £350,000 taxpayer-funded mortgage on his constituency house. He nominated it as his ‘second home’. The cost is significant because it allowed him to claim around the maximum of £20,000 in interest only over the past five years. As a non-millionaire my claims in the past two years have been £16,000 and £10,000.

David Cameron claims that using all his £20,000 for interest payments is perfectly reasonable and the intended use of the second-home allowance. No it’s not. The allowance is designed to allow MPs a London dwelling to provide access to parliament. The costs are meant to be spread over mortgage interest, council tax, utilities and living expenses. They are not intended to be used to buy a millionaire’s pad in an MPs constituency. Already parliament has outlawed this fiddle by limiting the amount that can be spent on interest.

Mr Cameron failed to tell his Witney town hall meeting that he had paid off his London loan shortly after he had secured it. He said, ‘From 2001 to 2007, the only thing I really claimed for in respect of my second home was the interest on a mortgage – not the repayments, but the interest.’ Who is he trying to fool?  No one has ever been paid for repayments. That is expressly forbidden.

On a previous post I mentioned the rising wrath of non-millionaire Tory MPs. Outer London ones have already lost £37,000 of their income as one complained to me. Now they believe his in-your-face televison daily rant is punishing his own side. They fear he is using the scandal as an excuse to clear out traditionalists who stand in the way of his modernizing project, while largely protecting members of his inner circle. Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen and Douglas Hogg have all been slipped the black spot by Cameron as ‘bed-blockers’. When will he desert Michael Gove, Francis Maude, Chris Grayling and Alan Duncan?

Cameron wants to make burnt offerings of other MPs. A bit more honesty on his own claim might help quell the mutinous anger of his backbenchers terrified that his boomerang rhetoric might destroy them.

Action not words, Cameron.

Feel good spending

This is my first ever commercial blog. I want you to spend your money. It will be good for you.

I dropped in on my mate Trevor Palmer’s place at Enterprise Park Newport. In spite of disabilities that would drive most of us into permanent inactivity, Trevor has been running a successful business for twelve years. It’s a not-for-profit enterprise.

He specialises in good value products for those with disabilities.

Even the simple activities of daily life are difficult for Trevor. He has the great help of his family and today two volunteers. One had driven up from Hayle in Cornwall to help Trevor’s charitable work in sending off aids to Madagascar. This is additional to Trevor’s business activity.

Today Trevor was cataloging donated equipment that will be sent to Madagascar to help disabled people. At www.responsableassistance.org you will be able to find out about ResponsABLE assistance.

During the last few months over £20,000 worth of new equipment has been donated from various companies including Homecraft Rolyan, Able2Wear and from Trevor’s business GLCC Ltd.

The equipment has been collected and stored in the warehouse whilst Trevor waited for the political situation in Madagascar to settle down. Christina Dodwell and Vaughan Temby from Disability Cornwall were helping to organize the mountain of boxes that will soon be on the way to Madagascar.

Please help Trevor continue the miracle by buying one of the products below – even if you do not need them. They are great value and buying them will make you feel good.

Trevor Palmer
GLCC Ltd.
Unit 18 Enterprise Way
Newport
South Wales
NP20 2AQ UK
 
Tel. / Fax. 01633 216644

Total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan =165

Warm support

 Rarely have I felt so apprehensive about a public meeting.

Having been in the business for a lifetime, I rarely worry about making the odd speech.  Tonight was different. Answering well founded anger would be fine. But the prospect of facing the unreason and venom of recent TV audiences was daunting. I had invited Newport West voters in a newspaper advert to question me on parliamentary expenses. My full expenses details were circulated at the meeting including the unpublished claims for 2008-09. The meeting room was full. But the response was universally warm and support. My political oppenents either failed to turn up or stayed silent. No sign of the sneering local bloggers who were elsewhere hiding behind their obscentities.

 I circulated this list of parliamentary reforms. The debate was thoughtful, inspiring and practical. There was none of  hysteria or malice that inflame much public opinion. There is great regret at the damage done to our democratic system.No wonder I believe I have the best constituents of any MP.

Parliamentary reforms

The old parliamentary ‘Gentlemen’s Club is finished. The replacement of the present Speaker was an essential first step in instituting reforms. Generally party leaders are proposing changes that will assist their own parties.

Expenses: Sir Christopher Kelly’s Committee will report on expenses in the autumn. Sir Christopher is accountable to the Public Administration Committee (PASC) I am a member of PASC I will give evidence and press for immediate implementation of root and branch reforms. There has been outrage because many millionaire MPs, of all parties, have been milking parliamentary allowances for items unconnected with parliamentary duties. Payments in future should match individual MPs’ needs or be incorporated at a reduced rate into salaries.

Lobbying: PASC has demanded full transparency for lobbying organisations. The present arrangements allow influence to be bought. It is potentially corrupting – or worse. We are pressing for mandatory disclosures. Not all parties agree.

Double Jobbing: An MP’s job is a full time one. Those who take outside jobs should have their moonlighting hours declared and parliamentary pay adjusted to reflect outside incomes. Former ministers and top civil servants should be barred from taking jobs in those areas in which they served.

Pensions: MPs pensions are based on final salaries. Many other occupational pensions are declining in value. MPs should not be seen to have a pension system that is more favourable than those outside of parliament.

No subsidy: no nuclear

It had to come. The about-turn on nuclear subsidy has arrived.

It was in January 2008 that Energy Minister John Hutton conceded that no nuclear plant had been built anywhere in the world without public money - but he insisted there would be no subsidies from the UK government. He said "Our vision on nuclear is clear. We must refine the planning system, we must have a price for carbon to establish a long-term climate for investment, We must ensure there is clarity on waste and decommissioning. But on no account should there be any kind of subsidy for nuclear power."

That’s clear enough. For the Tories Alan Duncan also  ruled out any subsidy. At the time I asked the Commons, “ Why repeat the nuclear folly? How can anyone believe the nuclear lobby than had vast cost-over-runs, up to 10 years delays, and a legacy of debt of £75 billion to clear up their waste?

No nuclear power station in the world has been economic. All have been subsidised by taxpayers. The new-heralded modern design in Finland is already 3 years late and £1billion over budget.

Now the volte-face Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of the UK subsidiary of EDF, told the Financial Times that a “level playing field” had to be created that would allow the nuclear industry to compete with other low-emission electricity sources such as wind power.

Quite rightly, in recent months, the government has promised more generous subsidies for offshore wind power and new support for “clean coal” power stations that can capture and store their carbon dioxide emissions. But it continues to resist the idea of similar assistance for nuclear power.

EDF, which last year paid £12.5bn to buy British Energy, the nuclear generator, plans to build at least four reactors in Britain at a cost of up to €5bn (£4.4bn) each.

However, Mr de Rivaz said the company still needed to assure its investors, which include the French government with an 85 per cent stake, that the investment made commercial sense.

“We have a final investment decision to make in 2011 and, for that decision to give the go-ahead, the conditions need to be right,” he said.

Mr de Rivaz suggested that the best way to support the nuclear industry would be to make sure penalties paid by rival fossil fuel power generators under the European Union’s emissions trading scheme were kept high enough to make nuclear investment attractive.

In other words he wants the market rigged in favour of nuclear. He said that such a move would be necessary before companies were confident enough to invest tens of billions of pounds in new reactors.

EDF is also concerned that the additional incentives for renewables will lead to so much wind capacity being built that nuclear power stations will have to be shut down at times of high wind power output, jeopardising the economics of new reactors.

Already on this blog the subsidy for the taxpayers insurance of Sellafield has been revealed.

When will Ed Milliband come clean and announced that without vast new subsidies there be no new nuclear?

Total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan =163

Heroine discovered

Today I met a heroine. Tomorrow she will be rewarded.

Possibly the most dispiriting job now is trying vainly to help people find new jobs. With jobs disappearing rapidly, what hope can be offered? That is what I thought.  Instead of pessimism I found satisfaction and celebration on my visit to A4e in Newport today.

A4e is an International company with over 25 years experience delivering vocational training offering local support to learners and businesses.  The Executive Chairman Emma Harrison started A4e back in 1986 to support Sheffield Steel workers who had been made redundant transfer their existing skills or retrain to start a new career.  Since then A4e have gained Government contracts enabling them to offer vocational qualifications free of charge to  help employees upskill themselves by achieving qualifications in their chosen career.

Today the boss Debbie Wolseley was in buoyant form. She had invited me to see A4e in action after she read an article I wrote about jobs in Newport. There was no gloom. Debbie and her team had placed 42 people in jobs last month and 40 this month. This is very creditable. Many of the clients are long term unemployed.

 

Tomorrow and Friday Debbie will be in London to claim a prestigious award for her work. She and her fellow winners will be fed by some of London best chefs and royally entertained. 

 

Many congratulations Debbie and all the team at Newport's Action for Employment.

 

Gun jumped

I had not noticed that Western Mail writer Tomos Livingstone has also announced the result. As good news is rare these days, I'll share his comment with you.

 

"Paul Flynn, the MP for Newport West, whose expenses have not been subject of stories in The Daily Telegraph, emerged best from our survey with up to 53% saying they would vote for him.

 

Mr Flynn was one of four MPs to call for the Speaker to go last week alongside Gordon Prentice, Douglas Carswell and Ben Wallace. He has previously said the public should be able to sack MPs for serious wrongdoing, but not for simply taking an unpopular stance on major issues.

 

In a recent interview the Labour MP said: “We’ve had two MPs in my time in Parliament who have decided to live abroad – one in the Channel Islands and the other on the east coast of America.

“MPs like that deserve to be deselected because they’re just putting two fingers up to the electorate.” 

Clegg cracks

The excitement has been too much for Nick Clegg. Tomorrow's Guardian quotes this manic rant;

"Let us bar the gates of Westminster and stop MPs leaving for their summer holidays until this crisis has been sorted out," 

In which fantasy world does he live? Has he lost touch with reality?Barring the gates? Does he believe we are all holed up, under siege in the Westminster Castle? 

He will annoy his long suffering LibDem MPs who have been bleating for years that the 12 week recess is no 'holiday'. The offices of nearly all MPs are going full blast during the recess. The centre of gravity of the work moves from Westminster to the constituency.

 All serious MPs would prefer briefer recesses. For 12 weeks we are denied the chance of speaking in the Chamber and on committees. That is very frustrating.

Explosive tip

A delicious comment by Vaughan Roderick on the Welsh language blog. My colleague on PASC Julie Morgan has been beautified for her modest expenses claim in the company of fellow PASC member Kelvin Hopkins. Thoroughly well deserved.

 

One sentence in the note attached her published expenses figures intrigued Vaughan:

 

"I have got a flat which was a tip when I got it. I had the kitchen done up and the bathroom done up and it cost about £19,000, but I didn't claim that - I claimed £2,049. Although it would have been within the rules, I just didn't feel comfortable doing it."

 

Vaughan recalls this description of  "Morgan Towers" in Llanfihangel y-pwll which appeared in the pages of the Independent.

 

"THE PROBLEM with Rhodri Morgan is that he has failed the Hyacinth Bucket test in BBC's Keeping Up Appearances... the final nail in his political coffin, as far as Hyacinth is concerned is that his house near Cardiff is an absolute tip. It looks as if its contents have been arranged by a small explosive device."

 

Modesty persuades me not to translate Vaughan's final paragraph.

 

Yn ei lyfr "Dragons led by Poodles" (y llyfr mwyaf difyr am wleidyddiaeth Cymreig erioed) mae Paul Flynn yn adrodd hanes ymweliad Tony Blaid a Chymru pan oedd yn arwain yr wrthblaid. Arhosodd dros nos yng nghartref Rhodri a Julie a chymryd yn erbyn Rhodri oherwydd y llanast. Yn ôl Paul yr hoelen olaf yn yr arch oedd sylwad gan fam Julie "I know you, you're that Lionel Blair". Gwell hwyr nac hwyrach!

Outsource prisoners

What a joy! Here’s a story to lift your hearts. It's inspired me to write to the Home Secretary asking her to 'out-source' our surplus prison population.

A correspondent ‘John’ breaks the news to me that the Netherlands are CLOSING prisons. The Dutch justice ministry has announced it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs in the prison system. A decline in crime has left many cells empty.

During the 1990s the Netherlands faced a shortage of prison cells, but a decline in crime has since led to overcapacity in the prison system. The country now has capacity for 14,000 prisoners but only 12,000 detainees.

The overcapacity is a result of the declining crime rate, which the ministry's research department expects to continue for some time."

John writes accurately

“Yet here in the UK we have a doubling of the prison population since Labour came to power.Note that in the Netherlands hardly anyone is imprisoned for illegal drugs especially possession of Cannabis etc.

Isn't this an amazing achievement by the Dutch that crime is falling and they are closing prisons yet here in the UK we can't build enough due to all the laws we have enacted increasing jail time even for petty crimes because we mistakenly believe in the deterrent affect of minimum sentences. The dutch have looked increasingly at the causes of crime social deprivation poverty lack of education and employment and by tackling these underlying issues have seen crime fall. Here in the UK we seem to just want to tackle the symptoms of such deprivation by throwing people into jail but failing to tackle the underlying causes.”

I agree with every word of that. Frequently I have asked Home Office Ministers if they regard the increase in the prison population as a success or a failure. I’ve never had an answer that made sense. Another correspondent ‘Huw O’S” neatly sums up our policy

"Creating crime, creating the causes of crime."

Parris on drugs

A few years ago I went to Amsterdam with star journalist Matthew Parris. The following report appeared in the Guardian and was broadcast on Radio Five Live. 

Matthew Parris looked at the issues associated with recreational drug use. His investigation took him to Amsterdam to see how the city fares with legalised drugs and to meet with the Labour MP Paul Flynn in a local coffee shop.

Parris: Paul Flynn, sitting here over coffee at Schipol airport, it shouldn't be me welcoming you to Amsterdam, but you welcoming me, because you did issue a challenge to to any Conservative MP to come and see for himself what goes on here.

Flynn: Or for herself - it was Ann Winterton who is the spokesperson on drugs, but I did withdraw the challenge after hearing her Mary Poppins view. I thought it would be dangerous if I spent 24 hours in her company...I've never taken an illegal drug in my life, but after that experience I might be tempted to do something rash.

Parris: Did any MP take you up?

Flynn: No. I wish they would, because politicians have misrepresented what has happened here...and what has happened here is by having a policy of regulated decriminalisation of soft drugs, they have decreased the harm caused by soft drugs and vastly reduced the number of people who are taking hard drugs. It's a win-win situation.

In a coffee shop by one of the city's famous canals.

Parris: An unfamiliar smell assails my nostrils...hah hah! This place surprises me in just one way. I had rather thought to see people staring into space more or less spaced out on the stuff. I don't actually, I just see a place that looks like a student bar or cafe anywhere in Europe.

Flynn:It's got that feeling. Well, the surprise I have about it is that this is the first one I have ever been in where they seem to be serving alcohol as well, because normally that's not allowed...There is a whole range - Namchi Bazaar, Grand Cru. It looks like an exotic wine menu. I presume they mean something to somebody.

Parris: Are there prices to this menu? They're in Euros! This is a Tory eurosceptic's nightmare. Buying cannabis in Euros!

Flynn: It's the ultimate Euro hell for them, isn't it?

Parris: It would be a loss of moral sovereignty, I'm afraid...One observation I am qualified to make is this is extremely good coffee.

Flynn: The caffeine's probably doing us as much harm, I'm afraid, as the cannabis that is being taken at the next table...

Eisteddfod Urdd Gobaith Cymru

The Eisteddfod of the Welsh Youth organisation, ‘Urdd Gobaith Cymru’ is a bustling success at Cardiff Bay. Has there every been a better ‘Maes’ with the Millenium Centre, the piazza and Mermaids’ Quay?

The atmosphere combines the worthy display of musical and literary talent and a fairground exuberant hwyl. When I was eleven I went on my first holiday to the Urdd camp in exotic faraway romantic Llangranog. The memories are still sweet.