'Down to MPs to take decisions'

By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI Politics Show

I once saw a four-year-old boy hop across a room chastising himself because he thought he'd done something wrong.

As he headed towards the "naughty step" he kept repeating "bold boy" in the Northern Ireland colloquial. He resembled a jockey without a horse.

It was a pathetic and comic sight. I hasten to add that the child was not mine, though I do know the parents and am assured that this bizarre display was a product of sensitivity on the boy's part rather than some zealotry on theirs.

I was reminded of this unforgettable image this week when I saw John Mann MP on the Ten O'clock News offering his verdict on the impending report on MPs' expenses from Sir Christopher Kelly.

According to Mr Mann, MPs are unfit to make any judgement on the report. Parliament, he says, has lost all moral authority on the subject and must therefore adopt the recommendations in full whether its members like them or not.

Yes, there he is - along with many other honourable members - hopping across Parliament Square chastising himself uncontrollably.

Elected

You can see the fear in their eyes. Hear it in their voices. It would be funny if it weren't so sad and serious.

MPs are elected to make considered decisions. To think. To argue. To decide. To legislate.

The UK has a constitutional monarch but Parliament is king.

Yet here we have MPs claiming that they - as a body corporate - are not fit to make a decision on an important issue.

Furthermore they've been so bad that they'll administer whatever punishment and remedy is deemed necessary by others without question. Even if it's unfair and unworkable.

These are broken men. It took a couple of MPs' wives to make a case against some of the anticipated reforms. A robust and convincing one it was too. I'm sure there are female MPs equally defeated with equally defiant husbands.

I can't help feeling that regardless of the personal trauma or viciousness of the public debate, I would much prefer my MPs to think before they vote on anything.

Some MPs have been very naughty indeed. In fact it's suggested that up to half a dozen could face prosecution.

They're not heading for the naughty step, but prison - if convicted. But most MPs are not corrupt.

They acquiesced with a system that now seems corrupt.

So, Sir Christopher Kelly's report may deserve to be implemented in full. It may, however, require severe amendment.

Either way, it's down to MPs to take the decisions. They don't need to beat themselves up but perhaps they do need a slap round the face to wake them up to their responsibilities. Democracy depends upon it.

See you Sunday

Jim

PS - The new Speaker of the House of Commons, elected as a consequence of the expenses scandal on a reform agenda, incurred the wrath of some elements of the media for thousands of pounds of public money he spent refurbishing his "lavish" grace-and-favour apartments at Westminster.

It transpires the money went on English Heritage-approved locks for the beautiful listed windows to prevent his young children falling into the Thames. In fact, so cautious were the Bercows with the public purse that they insisted on Ikea furniture for the children's bedroom. Were he around today Pugin may not approve but taxpayers do.

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