I just watched this and thought he was is so right.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8045869.stm
I think we should rely on comedians to cut through the bullshit more often.
Stephen Fry hits the nail on the head!
He looks pretty hot in that suit.
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 1:03 PM BSTAll I care about is the stupid laws they make. That's what people should be focusing on.
But they won't. Certainly not with the media in this country.
Totally agree.
Albeit I wander how much time it actually takes one to carry out multiple complex house allowance fiddles.
I'd rather we focused on the substanial number of MPs who claimed what they needed. And of course the sheer mess the last 20 or so years of neo liberal buckaneering politics have left us in.
As erudite as Mr. Fry is, I think he's missing the point. With so many people losing their jobs and homes at the moment, reports that our elected officials, who are supposed to make society better, are nothing more then dishonest thieves is a sickening kick in the gut.
All he basically said is that journalists are as bad as politicians. Hardly comforting.
Of course there are more important things to be focussing on, and of course there are many industries just as culpable over indulgent expenses, but, it's surely just as bourgeois an attitude to dismiss the issue in the way that Fry has.
Quote: john lucas 101 @ May 14 2009, 1:23 PM BSTand of course there are many industries just as culpable over indulgent expenses
I regularly pad out my expenses and see nothing wrong in it. 
Well there's a huge diference between an allowance and an expense claim. Some times "flipping" is ok I mean people need to move and as an MP you are expected to have a base in your constituency and Westminster.
Actually bollocks to that.
MPs claim what 20 million total maybe in dubious expenses. That's a nuisance.
But bank execs taking billions in bail out and giving themselves massive bonuses still? That makes me furious.
I suppose the MP annoys me because it's so small, petty and grubby.
I think I got 2 mugs from an agency and I might have had a sandwich from a training session I wasn't invited to.
I am a monster.
It's easy. MPs' wages are too low!
I want the best people running this country - no matter which part they stand for. At present the wage on offer might make people think twice about being an MP. I do not want the commons to just be full of second raters or millionaires!
Get some accommodation sorted that is owned by the commons - every MP gets a room, or mini appartment for their time in London.
Up the wages, give them the accommodation and then scrap all expenses apart from travel.
That is how to make a decision! Bang done in a few words - is it really that hard?
Bigfella for PM!
(They might have to make the door of Number 10 a bit bigger though.)
I do like to see arch spy mistress, Big Sister and alround nosy old biddy Jackie Smith being wrung out.
And some journalists do some good. David Langford is ace on scifi.
But it does seem to be a rather unimpressive government on both sides of the benches.
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 1:31 PM BSTI think what annoys me is the constant demonisation of MPs by individuals who contribute nothing to society themselves.
Do you mean thieves and liars?
Quote: bigfella @ May 14 2009, 1:33 PM BSTIt's easy. MP's wages are too low!
I want the best people running this country - no matter which part they stand for.. At present the wage on offer might make people think twice about being an MP. I do not want the commons to just be full of second raters or millionaires!
Get some accommodation sorted that is owned by the commons - every MP gets a room, or mini appartment for their time in London.
Up the wages, give them the accommodation and then scrap all expenses apart from travel.
That is how to make a decision! Bang done in a few words - is it really that hard?
Bigfella for PM!
(They might have to make the door of Number 10 a bit bigger though.)
How about a similar scheme to the ones for foster children?
Where you look after an MP, cook for them and give them a bed.
You need some sort of social worker to make sure you're not beating David Cameron or buggering George Galloway.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ May 14 2009, 1:35 PM BSTDo you mean thieves and liars?
I think he means BSG members. 
The point Stephen Fry misses is that the expenses issue is symptomatic of the state of our political body. More so than anytime since the Reform Bills, the Commons is compromised of career politicians whose principles are flexible when it comes to pursuing their self-interest. The man who fiddles his expenses is the man who can bought by promises of patronage and hopes of advancement, and who will put self-interest before principle when the time comes to vote. MPs regularly file through the lobby to vote against what they believe to be in the national interest, because to do so furthers their own interest. That is how stupid laws come to be made. Parliament has become a gravy train for political careerists, who see expenses as just another perk of the job. The expenses issue matters not because of the money that has been claimed, but because of what it tells us about the integrity of those who made the claims.
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 1:38 PM BSTI actually took it back because like many of my posts it was indefensible.
They're the ones I like best!
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 1:38 PM BSTIt's just the general "holier-than-thou" sanctimony surrounding most of this debate makes me feel a bit sick.
Agreed. And it's going to be very interesting to see what effect this has on the upcoming elections, and next year's General Election.