Is this the end of Self Regulation in the UK?

As we see rushed emergency changes being made to the rules for MPs expenses claims and various statements being made about an independent body being established to administer their claims etc. Will this intentioned move away from self regulation really happen and can it ever be truly independent?

If it does happen will such scrutiny and the need for independent regulation then move on to other areas of public and business life in this country?

Will the now mobilised UK public opinion continue to roll, and even gather pace?

Or is what we have seen simply a public reaction to yet another media driven feeding frenzy? Will the media now move on to other areas needing 'independent' regulation? Perhaps though we'll just see a return of the normal coverage of celebrity and find out more about the Katie Price/Peter Andre split and their impending divorce?

For me one of the most useful points to come out of the MPs expenses mess is the definition of corruption given on the 'The Big Question' programme last Sunday morning on BBC TV by John Drysdale, Chairman, Transparency International UK. He defined corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. He also very eloquently linked political corruption to poverty around the world

That seems pretty clear and straightforward to me.

(see link for Transparency International UKs website in 'My Links' section if you are interested...)

What do you think? Which areas of public or business life need attention first?

I'm watching and hoping for a next move...

As usual comments welcome.... Thanks

MPs and the "the spirit of the rules" Syndrome

What a morning already!

Well I've read that Gordon Brown wants all expenses claim by MPs reviewed by an independent body. So who chooses, appoints and pays the 'body'- him/MPs? How do you get independence in the world today?

Then Nick Clegg has said on TV today that he will..."come down like a ton of bricks" on anyone abusing the expenses system, well done Nick, lets see how long it is before we see any flattened and bruised Lib Dem MPs about in Westminster then.

I was at a large meeting in Birmingham yesterday and in any breaks the main topic of conversation was MPs expenses issues. I did not hear a single person try to defend, explain or support the situation and everyone who mentioned it was appalled, feeling that the status and respect for MPs was at an all time low.

So are today's reactions by Mr Brown and Mr Clegg too little to late and merely an attempt to save their own butts?

It is alleged that ex Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell claimed almost £10,000 to redecorate a flat, but he said the expenditure on a top designer for the rented London property had been in "the spirit of the rules". Is it true and if so will or won't he be flattened by Mr Clegg's 'ton of bricks'?

So, let's all start pleading for example in a defence to a speeding ticket that my speed of 45mph in a 40 limit was in "the spirit of the rules" and benefit abuse claimants pleading that their claim was in "the spirit of the rules". I guess that we all know where that would get us - nowhere.

Is it the minority or is it the majority of MPs that seem to be 'ethically bankrupt' at present?

So, where do we go next with this one?

This week a close friend has resigned from the Labour Party after many many years of membership over the MPs expenses debacle. Perhaps more of us need to find our own relevant ways to protest and show our disdain for their conduct.

How do we return to an acceptable level of ethical behaviour in public life in this country? Edward de Bono help required please?

So as before any comments please or indeed any cries of rubbish or simply just "shut up".

Today is a New Day - is it really?

As I get older and grumpier I get worried that I am getting more political and want to be politically active for the first time in my life - well we will see if that ever happens.
Where are we in public life and service? We have cabinet ministers maximising their expenses using rules that they make, political parties spending inordinate sums on PR and Walsall Council (the town where I live now) using their web site home page as a spin machine where we get 'sound bite' messages that eventually, if you ever bother, lead you to shallow good news stories with little information saying how great the council is and how well it is working for us all.
I remember that this council has recently been in, what I would call, special measures and nearly had control taken from it by the Audit Commission in 2002 when it was judged by them to be providing 'Poor Service with Poor prospects for improvement'. I hear that the latest assessment in 2008 has improved and instead of being terrible they are now performing well and public satisfaction has increased!. That's not what I hear being spoken in the town and I don't know 'which public' the Audit Commission spoke to in 2008. As a resident in the town I have noticed little change, most people I hear speak about the council still regard them as a will not or cannot do organisation rather than a will and can do one.
For example, in the pub last night, one friend tells of their two year plus battle to get a 'brown' bin, the one used by the council to remove garden waste for composting. First they were told by the council officers it was up to the councillors, then their local councillor said it was up to the officers. Well that's OK then (Audit Commission to note please)-but still no bin. Then last week another councillor said they were up to capacity on the collection rounds for waste and recycling and needed another lorry! Well get one then! and stop wasting money on over running projects like the much delayed ring road (that's only really part of a ring-anyway).
I also remember that the council (Jan/Feb 2009) announced a Mystery Shopper exercise to evaluate the customer service of some, only some, of their services to us. I wait to see the results of the exercise but I wonder if it will appear only as a 'spinning sound bite' on the web site 'home page'?

Then yesterday via Twitter I hear that the controlling (Conservative) group on the council has now elected the next leader of the council, Councillor Mr Mike Bird. Mr Bird has some 29 years of experience on the council so it can I suppose be said he has;
1) lots of valuable experience as a Councillor, in council work, committees, services and 'politics'
or
2) been around long enough to shoulder his share of the blame for the woes of the council and the town.

So is he a good choice as leader or does the council and the town really need a fresh approach from a new person with modern ideas and little or no history/baggage?
I know what I think, it's bad news and I am truly disappointed. I was really hoping for a change in the power base within the council but this is not to be just yet. This leaves me contemplating what I can do about it, probably not a lot, but I resolve to review how I vote in future local elections, to use my vote to the maximum and exercise tactical voting when and if it would be possible to bring about a change.

That's it for now- I feel better whether anyone reads this or not!

Thanks and comments received if you feel like it.