What could be worse than the Maria Miller scandal?

So Maria Miller has finally stepped down/been sacked/whatever over he expenses claims. Now while the committee cleared her something stank about it all. The Leveson mentions, the PPC car crash actions and her lack of cooperation with the investigation. However something far more damaging has happened. Michael Fabricant has been sacked as the party vice chairman.

Most political tweeters know who Fabbers is. Liked by more "enemies" than any other MP on twitter he actually engages with people. Replying to many tweets and enjoying more than his fair share of twanks. Plus his constantly changing array of Fabatars are a wonder to behold. Most of all people respect him for his honest opinion, regardless of the party line Fabbers speaks his mind.

Now, according to the man himself he was sacked for his thoughts on Maria Miller (obviously) and his stance on HS2.

Been asked to resign as Vice Chairman, refused, so sacked over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister. Still available 4 speeches etc
— Michael Fabricant (@Mike_Fabricant) April 9, 2014

Just in case he deletes it: "Been asked to resign as Vice Chairman, refused, so sacked over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister. Still available 4 speeches etc"

Let's cover these issues separately. Maria Miller stepping down was big news, with as much anger about her attitude as her expenses. I have a feeling she was nudged by the top brass to make that decision, either way Fabbers was right when he said "about time". 

But perhaps the bigger issue was HS2. This is a thorny issue for the government, Labour are playing games over it and there will be a back bench rebellion, a loss is on the cards. With his public opposition to it Fabbers upset the leadership.

He has been speaking to people about their concerns and making proposals to amend the route but they have fallen on deaf ears. So in his usual open and honest way he said he was left woth "no choice" but to vote against it. 

So Mr Cameron what kind of party do you want? Would you like more open and honest people like Fabbers? Or do you want to become like ukip, where deviation from the dear leader Farage must be punished?

I know one thing, until Michael Fabricant gets a senior position in the party or government then the Tories have lost my vote. Politics needs more open, honest and charming people like him. 

Supporting someone unpopular is one thing, sacking someone people like is beyond stupid.

The SNP don't want independence

Nicola Sturgeon was at her blustering best on Daily Politics and refusing to answer questions and also making veiled threats that an independent Scotland wouldn't take it's share of the national debt unless they get the currency union with Sterling. Well as with all SNP interviews she was made to look like a total fool by Andrew Neil.

David Cameron played a blinder when he refused the "devo max" option on the vote, forcing the straight yes or no question. With every passing week the SNP appear like teenagers threatening to leave home. You might think they are gone but they seem to eat your food, drink your drink and come to you whenever anything goes wrong.

If you want independence then you must be independent, that's it, no ifs or buts. Using Sterling with the B of E as lender of last resort is not independent. Equally the rest of the UK population might have something to say about that, after all the Euro currency union has worked so well. Surely we all get a vote on such an arrangement, or do the SNP think it right to dictate to England and Wales? Too much hard earned money flows north of the border as it is, if they want independence then I don't want my pennies insuring a socialist nutters spending.

But this whole "bullying" line peddled by the SNP is political. Salmond's rhetoric has always been about English people dictating from an English parliament, stirring up what amounts to racism in the search of votes. That's why he wants to debate David Cameron. Cameron would tear him to shreds in any intellectual debate but every answer would be met with a rabble rousing response. 

"Of course I want independence Geppetto"

I'm actually half Scottish and very proud of that fact. The behavior of some of the yes campaign is disgusting, when, like me, you have always identified yourself as a proud Brit it's actually painful to start supporting the campaign for them to leave the UK. But I do, not like the SNP do but because I feel a bit "you want it, fine, have it, good luck". Then watch as in 20 to 30 years there economy is wrecked and we have to shore up the border because of economic migrants (in my story we are no longer in the EU).

But I don't think the SNP want it. They would much rather keep the hated English money pouring in so they can afford all the free NHS prescriptions and tuition fees they like without having to worry about the financial consequences.

On performances like yesterday's though I fear we are stuck with them,

Well flood me!

It's all been happening while I have been away.  Sorry for the lack of blogs, I shall explain at some point but in short I have been having a tough time and found myself unable to write or care about anything. But I am back, let us have some fun.

The big news at the moment is the floods, I wouldn't worry, the people who tell you that the world will boil said we would have an arctic winter. It will arrive soon I am sure and we can all go skating in the west country.

There has been some point scoring and mud slinging but i wanted to make some points of my own about some of the contentious issues.

David Cameron's flood visits

Of course he should go, he is the PM after all and has a significant role in the response to these floods. I must also commend him on the silencing of Eric Pickles. Now is not the time for the blame game, now is the time for supporting hard hit areas in the best way possible. A review of who/what policy caused the problem can come when everyone is back in their homes.

Ed Miliband's flood visit

Pointless, totally pointless, and good on Alok Sharma for calling him out on it.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/reading-west-mp-alok-sharma-6694413

If, as Ed claims, he wants to "work together" why not arrange a meeting with Alok in advance? Surely through the network of Labour party activists & trade union links they could summon up some volunteers to get their hands dirty and help. The same applies to all politicians, unless your actual ministerial job means you need to do something then don't pitch up for a photo op without doing something to help.

Wellies & waterproofs

The fact that Nigel Farage had a dirty set of waders on doesn't make him a "man of the people", christ I don't own a pair of wellies (you try finding a decent, affordable pair in size 14), does that make me out of touch with the common man? As I understand it Farage likes to go fishing, waders explained.

Blame

The people affected are blaming the environment agency, the current government or the previous one and they all have a differing case to answer for. But nobody seems to blame the rainfall, the worst in over 100 years. I suspect that even with perfect management of the rivers and flood defences this would have been a flood year.

If you build on a flood plain expect floods from time to time. However the warning signs have been in place with previous floods, the environment agency, which rated it's flood preparation as excellent, has some questions to answer here.

Good luck to all effected by the floods.

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Ukip didn't care about his views before, why now?

David Silvester is a loon, so Ukip perhaps his natural political choice. I don't actually think he is a looney for his opinion that same sex marriage is wrong, or even that God is seeking vengeance in some way for them. The most stupid thing he did was to make such opinions public, you're a politician David, what were you thinking?

You are perfectly entitled to believe what you like but seriously, given your position you should realise what isn't acceptable to the general public. Still this shows up a problem for Ukip and their "recruiting" policy. One of the kippers favourite statistics is how many Tory Councillors have defected to them. Farage practically creams his pants whenever he mentions such a number, well, one of this number bit him in the arse in spectacular fashion. The warnings were there though.

"I wrote to David Cameron in April 2012 to warn him that disasters would accompany the passage of his same-sex marriage bill."

So how much did Ukip know of this letter? Did they even ask why he defected or is it Ukip policy to roll out the welcome mat to anyone who wants to switch teams regardless of why. Well a cursory visit to Google would have revealed the answer, Pink News had a copy.

They new at the time this is what he believed in yet happily took him in and essentially the only thing that's changed is that those thoughts are now well publicised. Seems a bit disingenuous of them to suspend him now, almost as if publicity comes before morals in Ukip, who would have thunk it.

Ukip, most definitely not the grumpy old man's party

As a result I am not without sympathy for David, given they took him in knowing full well his thoughts he must be shocked to get suspended for those exact same opinions. But most of all, given the many other kippers with, lets say, sketchy views that seem to slip past the party checks how can you trust the Ukip candidate you vote for?

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PMQ's Bingo!

Ok, this may seem like a lazy blog but I assure you I have spent ages on this. Le Creuset Fiend can verify as I pestered him for help near the end. Funny how the last few bits you need are the toughest, thanks pal.

So the result of all this hard work, why it's PMQ's bingo of course. Although for those of a James Turner Street disposition you can use the cards as a drinking game. The PDF document below contains 30 randomly generated layouts of 25 squares from a list of 35 phrases, actions or things to spot during a round of PMQ's. It's become a parody of itself so we should at least have some fun.

Download your copy of PMQ's bingo here

It's in Google drive so will see it loaded and can then download should you wish (Arrow at the top left). The full list of possible squares is below along with a sample card image. Enjoy your games everyone, let me know how you do.

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Tax cut for millionaires
Bankers
Union pay masters
middle class
EU Referendum
Piece of paper passed to front bench (either side)
MP asks about an actual local issue
Out of touch
Recovery for the few/rich
Bercow butts in
Banker’s bonus
Cameron tells a bad joke
Spot a pink tie in the chamber
MP asks if the PM agrees
Weak (when aimed at Ed M)
Posh
Cameron doesn't answer a question
Hardworking people
Cuts
MP stops mid Q for quiet & doesn't get it
Cost of living crisis
Ed balls does a hand gesture & gets mocked
Any reference to private education
Ed Mili says "Mr Speaker" 3X before comment
Immigration good
Ed tells a bad joke
Speaker says "Order" 3x in a row
Bercow cuts off PM during response to a question
Food banks
Not standing up to unions
Badly read planted question
Immigration bad
A social media account is mentioned
One Nation
Recovery

Ukip, I have a theory

Ukip's "Dear Leader" was hammering away on twitter with the usual, over used, phrases yesterday. My favourite one being that there is no difference between Labour and the Tories. Get yourself down to Specsavers Nigel, or drink less because there are plenty, unless you just don't want there to be. The big one, as far as Ukip's main aim is concerned is that the Tories will give us a vote on the EU, Labour wont.

The kippers reacted quickly when Cameron pledged the vote on membership in 2017 if the Tories win the next election, obviously fearing that removing their main aim would be disaster for them. What they may fear most is that the UK would prefer to remain in the EU if it was about free trade and not the vast bureaucratic superstate it is becoming. In short in the EU, not controlled by it. But why does his holiness Farage seem so angered by the Tory pledge? I have some theories.

Doesn't really want out

For the very cynical among you this is one thought that I personally don't believe but can see why people do. In 2009 he received 2 million pounds on top of his salary which is over £60k. He barely turns up, much like his party colleagues, and when he was on the fisheries committee he didn't show up at all in 2011. He gets all the public attention his ego requires while pocketing a big salary and telling us all how horrible it is.

Hates David Cameron

Farage has a massive ego, dissent must not be tolerated within Ukip. Some high profile (and others less so) party removals in 2013 made that clear. So how does he feel about the leader of the Tories commenting on him and his party? Not well at all it turns out. In a rather pathetic attempt to get Cameron ousted he said he would be able do do a deal with Boris Johnson or Michael Gove but not him. He is less interested in giving the UK a choice on the EU than he is over a pissing contest, grow up!

Wants the glory

Say the Tories win in 2015, then Cameron gets all the powers back from the EU he wants and the vote happens. Whatever the result Farage and Ukip will not get the credit for delivering it. Sure they will crow all they like but unless he has a seat in the house Farage can't ride in on his steed and proclaim it was Ukip wot won it. That of course just wouldn't do.

Notice how the running theme is the mighty ego of Nigel Farage, not a shock is it.

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We should double MP's pay

MP's pay is in the news at the moment with members of the house due to get a tasty 11% pay increase (along with some expenses rule changes). This is a thorny issue, cuts and pay freezes are in force throughout the public sector and they would struggle to justify any pay increase.

Except they have no involvement at all in the process. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) was created in 2009 in response to the expenses scandal. They regulate the expenses system and MP's pay, meaning our elected members wouldn't be voting on their own pay rises again. Of course this seems great when you assume they just want to line their pockets but not so much now they want to stop the pay increase but can't do anything about it.

Some have said they will refuse the increase but as this would technically be illegal they would have to change the law to make it happen. You might think this is a good idea but you would be wrong, that would set a precedent. Whenever a decision came out from the IPSA that parliament didn't like they could change the law to change the outcome. Any attempt to undermine the IPSA's decision would mean it's creation was pointless. But I have a radical solution.

I would double MP's salaries, I'll just let that sink in for a moment because I am serious, we double their salary. The reason being is that the best minds in the country don't go into politics because they can earn so much more elsewhere. It would explain the number of millionaires in parliament, they don't need to earn the big bucks and can do a job of their choosing. 

Alongside this mammoth pay increase I would halve the number of MP's. Whilst also doing the same with ministerial jobs, not the front bench roles obviously but there are now so many junior ministerial positions there must be some pruning that can be made. As with everything in life quality is better than quantity. The increased salary will attract more bright minds to parliament, improving the quality of work done and subsequently our quality of life.

Less is more

Lastly I would set up a block of managed apartments for the now far smaller group of MP's. I know this would be a terrorist target but with them all in one place security would be easier to arrange. Somewhere comfortable, good internet and close to the office, that's all they need.

This will obviously never happen. But whatever we think of our not so honourable members we can't put pressure on them to change this IPSA decision. If they had said no to a pay rise and MP's got involved you would be screaming about their involvement in an independent body.

UPDATE: As one reader pointed out second jobs should also be banned for sitting MP's under this arrangement. In all honesty I think that should be the case now. HT @pcaschere

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