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David Laws' expenses

601 replies

longfingernailspaintedblue · 28/05/2010 22:41

I really thought he was the very best of the Lib Dems.

Given his fortune he obviously doesn't need the expenses, but hiding his landlord/partner from the authorities is unacceptable, even if it was to hide his sexuality.

I'm completely shellshocked.

OP posts:
Penthesileia · 30/05/2010 21:31

Careful what you wish for, TDiddy. Italian MPs are amongst the best paid in Europe. Hardly a model of good government and transparency.

vesela · 30/05/2010 21:40

Summerskill comes from a Labour family and was a Labour councillor. Would have been interesting to hear Tatchell. Pink News hasn't been censorious.

vesela · 30/05/2010 21:44

obviously "comes from a Labour family" doesn't have to mean he is, and he was last a councillor in 1998! But from what I can see he seems to be still close to Labour.

MmeLindt · 30/05/2010 21:45

Alistair Cambell about David Law/Clegg/Cameron.

"So as they now try to turn this from a story of expenses to a story of a human tragedy - which it is - do not forget it is also a story about leadership. If Laws, in Cameron and Clegg's eyes, did nothing wrong - and their statements would suggest that is their basic take - and if he is so brilliant, then they might have put up more of a fight to keep him."

claig · 30/05/2010 21:46

agree with Penthesileia. It has nothing to do with money, they always want more. They were even claiming for bath plugs. Laws is a millionaire, paying him any more wouldn't have stopped him doing what he did. Writing them a blank cheque won't make them any more accountable, it will just divorce them even more from reality and the public and like Icarus they will carry on flying too close to the sun and hubris will be their undoing.

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 21:55

It annoys me that DC, NC and others are describing Laws as a man of integrity, "Mr Integrity"

Integrity is something very much deeper than appearing to do the right thing. In fact, it is something that has many many factors, and one of those is courage to do the right thing. If Laws had actually had integrity then he would have stood up to be counted for being homosexual and showed courage, especially seeing as he was coaligning with a party who had dubious policies regarding homosexuality.

Success is not related to only talent or brains. There are a lot of bright, talented people who are never successful. And the most successful are not only the ones with the most talent. The real factor is the makeup of the person - their integrity.

IMO, it matters not what the policies were ref expenses - he showed spectacularly bad judgement and low integrity and it is annoying me intensely that (ex) colleagues of his are talking about his comeback already.

vesela · 30/05/2010 21:59

MmeLindt, they clearly need lessons in brass neck from Alastair I thought they didn't put up enough of a fight yesterday, but then saw they were at least talking about his coming back (if the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner clears him).

claig · 30/05/2010 22:08

well said LadyBlaBlah that's exactly what Tatchell said. He said that Laws didn't have the courage that other homosexuals who have come out have and that those who have come out have helped change society and Laws was benefitting from their courage, and he said that breaking the rules on expenses was not integrity.

To watch the spectacle of these politicians describing Laws in such effusive terms and cheapening the meaning of integrity, is a slap in the face of the public.

vesela · 30/05/2010 22:15

claig, some of us thought that when Brown was described as having "integrity."

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 22:18

This whole debacle is also making Nick Clegg appear increasingly vacuous and inexperienced. His 'blair' hands are embarrassing and his stage managed way of speaking is simply pathetic (i.e.no 'errs' and 'umms' - the basics of public speaking' ) making him look like he is still at debating society at toff school.

On integrity - strength of character is a key factor, and Laws has showed none. All very well being a good mathematician (or whatever it is he is supposedly brilliant at) it matters not in public life without integrity. He has just shown he has none. We should not feel sorry for him IMO

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 22:20

You see party politics may over take, but I never saw GB as not a man with integrity. Why do you say he had none?

claig · 30/05/2010 22:20

exactly, they all slap each other on the back and describe themselves as honourable. Nothing changes unfortunately.

claig · 30/05/2010 22:22

however, the new government is doing great things in some areas, so there is always hope.

vesela · 30/05/2010 22:29

claig, Brown believed strongly in what he did (although most of them do, I think) but he was never afraid to mislead.

vesela · 30/05/2010 22:30

sorry, I meant LadyBlahBlah.

claig · 30/05/2010 22:31

LadyBlaBlah I thought Clegg was useless all along. If that's the result of a Westminster education, I'll send my DS to the local comp. Paxman destroyed him in the 30 minute interview, Clegg didn't have a Clegg to stand on, I don't think there is too much between the ears.

I think Laws is not street-wise. I think it may one day come out that he was outed in revenge for his unnecessary humiliation of Liam Byrne. He messed with the Labour mafia and they taught him a lesson. All his vaunted cleverness counts for nothing, he should study Machiavelli instead of banking. I'm sure Mandelson has a copy of 'the Prince' by his bedside table.

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 22:33

I agree Machiavellianism is a useful trait to develop

Shame Clegg is too dimwitted to realise

And Cameron too arrogant to understand

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 22:36

btw I have no doubt that this outing was driven by some labour grudge - but more fool him for being so idiotically exposed - integrity again:face the negative (even perceived negative)

claig · 30/05/2010 22:46

yes but he is Mr. Unintegrity, so he couldn't do anything about it. He was too stupid to see revenge coming, he was chuffed with his new role, he thought he was untouchable, the whizz-kid felt he deserved his position. He tried to ingratiate himself with his new Tory masters by rubbing Liam Byrne's nose in the dirt like a school bully. But he failed to understand that Labour has bigger bullies like Campbell and Mandelson, and that in comparison him and Clegg are like schooboys in short trousers.

Prolesworth · 30/05/2010 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

claig · 30/05/2010 23:15

yes you could be right. The Telegraph is now having a go at Alexander. This is like ten little bottles, soon there won't be any LibDems left.

claig · 30/05/2010 23:17

ten green bottles

claig · 30/05/2010 23:22

although the BBC inviting a Laws picture-waving Campbell rather than a Labour front-bencher onto Question Time, and Laws not turning up is significant. Rumours must have been circulating and Campbell's appearance was unlikely to be a coincidence.

LadyBlaBlah · 30/05/2010 23:32

The jibes at Liam Byrnes were all rather lacking in humour....just a bit Ian Hislop superior smug when really he should have been keeping his enemies close

Silly man

I rather like Campbell et al keeping them on their toes. Shows spectacular naivety from all of them, which pleases me in my own sick way.

claig · 30/05/2010 23:42

I don't like Labour and Campbell, but I want a strong opposition and I want Campbell to keep them on their toes and expose any cheats, so I hope they keep it up as it will help to cleanse the system.