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December 09, 2010

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Kay Tie

I used the phrase "rotten boroughs" to mean ones where corruption is rife. Is there another definition?

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"'cheating is a way of life' "

'I referred to the prevalence of postal ballot scandals in marginal Labour seats (which again seems to be a curiously overrepresented with Labour candidates).'

Here is whst you said: 'Or rotten boroughs where cheating is a way of life?'

A way of life amongst 'rotten boroughs'. Its clear as day Kay Tie. Although you didn't realise that your own description of 'rotten boroughs' had tripped you up! There are more Tory rotten boroughs!

Kay Tie

"all the ministers were Labour"

Being a minister doesn't have any bearing on your expenses.

"Why was Derek Conway not pursued."

I don't know. Care to speculate why not?

Paul Flynn

The answer is that there were far more Labour MPs in the last parliament and all the ministers were Labour. There are still questions about Tory MPs. Why was Derek Conway not pursued. the worst scandal of all was the MP claiming for allowances in the previous parliament for a house that did not exist. He was allowed to disappear quietly without punishment.

Kay Tie

" we could find plenty of examples from both parties to outrage the public."

I did say that. But out of all the MPs, only Labour ones have met the threshold for criminal prosecutions.

"'cheating is a way of life' "

I referred to the prevalence of postal ballot scandals in marginal Labour seats (which again seems to be a curiously overrepresented with Labour candidates).

I offer a possible explanation: that Labour is institutionally bent. I'd like to see what other explanations there might be for the disparity.

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'Why might this be?'

Perhaps there isn't a reason. You seem to draw your own conclusions though. I'm surprised you are trying to score points for the Torys when we could find plenty of examples from both parties to outrage the public.

As for this 'rotten boroughs', 'pin a red rossette on a pig' stuff, the numbers of seats considered safe are nearly equal amongst the two main parties according to this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/apr/07/election-safe-seats-electoral-reform

In fact there are more safe Conservative seats by my count.

I've no idea what you mean by saying that 'cheating is a way of life' in safe Labour seats. Have you been reading the Daily Mail?

Kay Tie

Looks like another former Labour MP has had a file passed to the CPS: Margaret Moran.

I realise that Labour had no monopoly on expenses cheats, but it's safe to say that Labour MPs are overrepresented in the criminally cheating category: all the ex MPs appearing in the dock were Labour MPs.

Why might this be? Safe seats where they weigh the votes? Or rotten boroughs where cheating is a way of life? Or the normal hypocrisy of socialists when they get a sniff of champagne?

LondonStatto

With a majority of 21 on what's likely to be the most contentious vote of the entire Parliament, I don't think Cameron will be too worried.

I am, however - by the Labour Party's disgraceful refusal to pair where appropriate.

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