The MPs’ expenses scandal rumbles on with news of the possible criminal prosecution of some Members of Parliament and the suggestion that they might use parliamentary privilege to avoid any such prosecution. However much MPs say they understand the public’s anger about this, their behaviour suggests they still ‘don’t get it’! In ‘MPs’ expenses: an end to the gravy train?’ Paul Fairclough and Eric Magee look at the issue, explaining what happened and giving an up-to-date account of the findings and proposals of the Legg and Kelly Reports. They also look at the reactions of the leaders of the three main parties, MPs and the Commons authorities, concluding that independent and minor parties such as the BNP and UKIP might well benefit from a protest vote by disillusioned voters at the forthcoming general election.
Other articles of interest to AS students include Anthony King on why terms such as ‘prime-ministerial government’ and ‘cabinet government’ have outlived their usefulness and Rallings and Thrasher on why first-past-the-post might be on its last legs, particularly if there is a hung parliament following the general election.
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