Pin the Sleaze on the Party!!

Hours of endless fun....you know what you have to do on 4th June!!!

http://www.playok.co.uk/juryteam/

Enough is not enough for these people...

It is a scandal that well paid MPs and MEPs then go on to use more public money to "employ" family members. DO THEY NOT GET IT?? This is NOT money that is theirs by right, to do with as they please - it is PUBLIC MONEY, which should be spend in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Ask yourself this question - what are the mathematical odds that family members would, by ANY objective standard, just happen to be the best candidate for the job, had it been thrown open to fair competition? So its a double-whammy for the taxpayer - we pay top rate for services, yet arguably get second rate people filling the jobs.....but hey, who cares as long as our representatives get to enrich themselves.

The list below shows it cuts right across all parties.

Make a difference on June 4th - a vote for a party candidate is a vote for greed.
June 4th is Independents' day - vote Jury Team and let the parties know that that you are sick to the back teeth with their scams and fiddles.

MEPs who acknowledge that their relatives work for them
Richard Ashworth Conservative: Sally Ashworth (wife)
Jim Allister Independent: Karen Allister (daughter)
Sir Robert Atkins C: Lady Dulcie Atkins (wife)
John Bowis* C: Caroline Bowis (wife)
Philip Bushill-Matthews* C: Angela Bushill-Matthews (wife)
Martin Callanan C: Jayne Burton (wife)
Michael Cashman Labour: Paul Cottingham (partner)
Giles Chichester C: Virginia Chichester (wife)
Richard Corbett Lab: Anne Corbett (wife)
Nirj Deva C: Indra Deva (wife)
Den Dover* Ind: Kathleen and Amanda Dover
Nigel Farage UKIP: Kirsten Farage (wife)
Malcolm Harbour C: Penny Harbour (wife)
Chris Heaton-Harris* C: Jayne Heaton-Harris (wife)
Roger Helmer C: Sara Harmer (wife)
Ian Hudghton Scottish Nationalist: Lily Hudghton (wife)
Stephen Hughes Lab: Cynthia Beaver (wife)
Dr Syed Kamall C: Sandira Beekoo (wife)
Robert Kilroy-Silk Ind: Jan Kilroy-Silk (wife)
Timothy Kirkhope C: Caroline Kirkhope (wife)
Baroness Ludford Lib Dem: Steve Hitchens (huband)
Neil Parish* C: Susan Parish (wife)
Brian Simpson Lab: Mark (son) and Linda Simpson (wife)
David Sumberg* C: Carolyn Sumberg (wife)
Charles Tannock C: Silvia Janicinova (wife)
Gary Titley* Lab: Charo Titley (wife)
Geoffrey van Orden* C: Frances van Orden (wife)
Diana Wallis Lib Dem: Stewart Arnold (husband)
Graham Watson Lib Dem: Rita Giannini-Watson (wife)
Glenis Willmott Labour: Edward Willmott (husband)
* Not standing for re-election

Run for your lives

An article in today's Gruinard suggests that over 50 Labour MPs have asked to be sent to the Lords.....This is staggering - they obviously realise that the writing is on the wall, and they can't bear to be thrown off the gravy train. Who the hell do they think they are, with their arrogant belief that they have a divine right to rule?

I broadly had no problem with the old unreformed House of Lords - at least being there through an accident of birth was generally less corrupt than the current "reformed" patronage system. But as we've started down the road of reform, its time to go the whole way and move to an elected second chamber, with fixed terms.

Best quote from the article? "We are doomed," one senior Labour figure told the Guardian.
(I'm taking bets on the identity of the mystery senior figure, but the smart money is on a certain Chancellor...)

Oh, and my message for the 50 MPs? Don't you know that it takes more than a request to No. 10 - word on the streets that you have to enclose a cheque with your letter...going rate is around the £1M mark. And no, you can't charge it to expenses.

Less than a week to go - a vote for any party candidate on June 4th is a vote for corruption. 4th June is Independent's day - vote Jury Team, and take away the politicians toys.

Fame at last!!!

Tonight saw a little piece of electoral history made, with the first ever Party Election Broadcast by the Jury Team (Actually, it aired on GBC in Gibraltar last night, which makes it a first for the South West).

Anyway, me and Mrs B had a starring role in the broadcast (fleeting shot, left hand side, 3 rows back at the recent team launch). At least the subsequent texts from my friends prove that someone was watching.

I'll be milking my new found fame - I'm available for weddings, bar-mitzvahs, funerals, after dinner speeches...in fact I'm open to offers - have Elvis costume, will travel (and as I told a colleague this afternoon, I'm licenced to carry out religeous and civil ceremonies in all states of the US, apart from New York....but thats another story)

MPs hard done by? I think not....

I'm getting a bit sick of our discredited representatives whining on that the allowances were only there to make up for low pay. I found a very interesting piece on the BBC which nails the lie.

The average weekly income for a couple with no children is £390 per week after tax and benefits. An MP, with no children and assuming a non-working partner has a weekly salary of over £800.....this puts them above 91% of the population, or about 55 million people.

Add in the expenses, and the weekly total goes up to around £1,100 per week - this puts them at around the 96% mark, or put another way, they earn more than 58 million people. A working partner takes them even further up the household income scale.

Keep these figures in mind the next time you see one of these hard done by wretches making excuses for fiddling the system to the max. Keep it in mind when you hear of pensioners dieing of hypothermia over the winter, because they can't afford to put the heating on. Keep it in mind when you hear of families struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Keep it in mind on June 4th when you go to the polls.

A vote for a party candidate is a vote for greed. June 4th is Independent's day - vote Jury Team to end the sleaze.

An open challenge to David Cameron

This is the text of an email I have today sent to David Cameron, challenging him to take decisive action against MPs who are stepping down at the next General Election following exposure in the recent expenses scandal.

Today saw the launch of "A New Politics" - well, lets see him put his money where his mouth is. The challenge is there Mr Cameron: whose interests do you truly represent, the people or MPs exposed for their outrageous claims against the public purse?

"Dear Mr Cameron,

I am standing as an Independent candidate, under the Jury Team umbrella, in the June European Elections because I believe politics is broken. The actions of some of your colleagues in Westminster and Brussels have enraged the public, and trust in our elected representatives is at an all time low.

Your policy initiatives for electoral reform, improvements to democratic accountability, and radical redistribution of power announced today therefore interest me greatly - I would however like to ask a question:

Where Conservative MPs implicated in the current expenses scandal have indicated that they will stand down at the next General Election, why have you not withdrawn the whip and publically demanded that they step down immediately and call for by-elections? By remaining in-post until the next General Election, they qualify for additional payments in the form of "resettlement" payments of 50%-100% of a years salary. As party leader (and presumably Prime Minister in waiting) you have a moral obligation to assert some leadership, yet by doing nothing you effectively condone their actions and allow them a consolation prize for being exposed.

If you are serious about re-building trust in politicians, then I challenge you to take action to cut out the cancer that is killing parliamentary democracy.

Yours sincerely


Bill Barnett
Jury Team Candidate, South West region, European Parliamentary Elections 2009
www.southwestindependent.eu
www.juryteamsouthwest.eu "

What links the following?

Winterton (Con)
Winterton (Con)
Chapman (Lab)
Viggers (Con)
Steen (Con)
Hogg (Con)
MacKay (Con)
McCartney (Lab)

but not...
Martin (Lab)???

Well, apart from Martin, they are all going to stand down at the next election, following exposure of their expenses in the media. I've been trying to figure out why none of the above (apart from Martin) are biting the bullet, and resigning immediately...and then I found out that MPs who stand down or are not re-elected at a General Election receive a final "resettlement" payment of between 50% and 100% of a years salary (currently £64,766)....oh, and the first £30k is tax free. This is in addition to the "winding up allowance" of £40,799 to terminate leases, and pay off staff (who could include spouses, partners, children, elderly parents, mistresses etc). MPs who quit mid-term do not qualify for the "resettlement grant"....and neither would those who voluntarily step down at a General Election, had Speaker Martin not vetoed the proposal earlier this month.

So what of Speaker Martin? He'll be applying for the post of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds in June, and then on to catch his next gravy train in the Lords.

Makes me sick that even when they are caught out, they still find a way to keep filling their pockets at public expense.

MP Whistleblower explains why he did it.....

The story gets murkier and murkier....there are apparently 3 different versions of the MPs expenses, each one carrying less and less detail....Just how much trouble were MPs going to to try and avoid us finding out the truth?

Surely if they had nothing to hide, then why all the secrecy? As more of the story slips out, what little credibility left is slowly being shot to pieces. In my book ALL MPs are guilty....while not all cynically manipulated the rules, those that didn't MUST have known what was going on, yet they stayed silent. They showed their loyalty to the group rather than to the public.

There will be those who didn't abuse the system, who claim that they were unaware...I don't buy it. Westminster is a small place, and you are not telling me that they don't chatter to each other in the bars and tea rooms. If that minority group really were unaware, then I'd have to question their competence - do we want representatives who don't know whats going on around them? For those that were aware, but chose to do nothing, in my book they are as morally bankrupt as those that defrauded the system.

A general election is the only way to draw a line under this sad affair. Call one now, and let the public decide.

My Contract with the People of the South West

There have been many good things that have come out of Scotland (and unfortunately some not so good, including the current and immediate past prime ministers) , but one of the most interesting things I have seen during this campaign is the idea of a contract between a candidate and the voters. I've taken the original and adapted it slightly,and here it is - my contract with you, the people of the South West.

I've signed up to the contract on the left, and I'm happy to be bound by it (unlike the Government, who weaseled their way out of their Lisbon Treaty Referendum promises in court by claiming that "A manifesto promise is incapable of giving rise to a legally binding contract with the electorate.")

None of the terms of the contract are unreasonable - but how many other Candidates are willing to give these commitments to you?

On 4th June, the choice is yours - liars or people who will only make promises they will keep. Vote for people who will represent YOUR interests, not their own or those of their party. VOTE JURY TEAM!!

(hat-tip to Alan Wallace, Jury Team Scotland)

Ayo Gorkhali!!!

Welcome lads, you've earned it.


The Government did something good today.

"As I write these last words, my thoughts return to you who were my comrades,

the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal.

Once more I hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship.

Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun.

Uncomplaining you endure hunger and thirst and wounds;

and at the last your unwavering lines disappear into the smoke and wrath of battle.

Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous,

never had country more faithful friends than you"

The Gurkha Welfare Trust pays around 10,500 survivors or widows a welfare pension of around £20 a month . It may not be much but it can be the difference between survival and utter destitution. Until recently, in order to qualify for a pension Gurkhas have to serve 15 years but many of these men fought only for the duration of World War Two or the conflicts shortly afterwards. When we needed them they were there. Now it's our turn. They're too old to work but too proud to beg. Despite recent improvements made by the MOD to Gurkha terms and conditions of service, the Gurkha Welfare Trust still supports 10,500 Gurkhas, in addition to providing a first class medical scheme and community aid projects in the Hills of Nepal.

You can do something good today too.....if you can spare £20 per month, you can sponsor a Gurkha pensioner. Donate online here.

Launch event for Jury Team

The Jury Team today (Wednesday 20th May 2009) launched our European Election Campaign at One Great George Street, Westminster.

The launch (click here for the BBC report) featured speeches from:
- Sir Paul Judge, founder of the Jury Team and former Ministerial Adviser in the Cabinet Office
- Esther Rantzen, journalist and broadcaster
- Martin Bell, OBE, former Independent MP and MEP candidate in 2004
- Phillip Oppenheim, former Conservative MP and Treasury Minister who has indicated that he will stand as a Jury Team candidate at the next General Election if MPs who have cheated on expenses are not de-selected
- Dr Richard Taylor MP , independent MP for Wyre Forest

Esther Rantzen said,
“I’m a new girl in this game but I’m here because I think the people deserve hope. What we’ve been hearing in the recent weeks has been depressing and many would think that all MPs are greedy, venal and dishonest. But we have to apply judgment.
“I’ve been a floating voter all my life. I’ve never been able to swallow a manifesto whole and I believe there are many across the country like me. People who don’t feel listened to; people who have never found a political party.
“I think these people need to follow Martin Bell’s example. There are plenty of people of experience outside of Parliament and it’s time they came forward to make a difference.
“I am outraged and appalled by the conduct of the MP for Luton South and having spoken to people the constituency, I know they want a change. I will make my decision on whether to stand next week, but I do hope I inspire others to come forward and oppose the MPs that have behaved so disgracefully.
“Even if we fail, we will make the election more interesting!”

Sir Paul Judge said,
“This is an extremely important day for our political system. Today we present for the country, 59 candidates who have been selected in an open primary by the general public. They have legally committed themselves to our three guiding principles of democracy, accountability and transparency and to abiding by the seven Nolan Principles of Public Life..“The Jury Team candidates are pledged to vote on conscience for the good of their constituents and the country and will not be required to obey a party whip;
“In this way, our candidates are completely different to every other MEP candidate standing on 4th June. When you vote for the Jury Team you are voting for real change and not the staged and cosmetic change other parties offer.
“Vote for the Jury Team and take a stand.”

Martin Bell said,
“I have never seen anything like our current situation in politics before. Everybody is talking about the expenses scandals and everybody is angry. Our misbehaving politicians have finally done the impossible – they have united the country behind one aim: getting rid of them.
“Independent MPs and MEPs are part of the answer. Independent MPs and MEPs have the independence of mind and can aim and act to change the way the system works. They have the ability, unhindered by the oppressive party system, to vote for change and effect change.
“Everybody who wants to see the end of this sorry episode and the beginning of a new politics should vote for an independent and end the tyranny of the party system.”

Phillip Oppenheim said,
“Like most people, I am fed up with the current Parliament. We were promised that government would be “whiter than white”. Instead, our country is run by career politicians with no experience of the real world; and far from the promise of “democratic” Lords reform, peerages are sold to party donors or dished out to deadbeat failed politicians who sell their votes to the highest bidder. We didn’t elect them. We wouldn’t employ them. We can’t kick them out.
“Many peers and MPs seem more interested in ripping off the taxpayer than sorting out our problems which have got worse and worse. Even if Commons officials did advise people like Andrew MacKay that their claims were within the rules, that just epitomises the problem of too many MPs who have become institutionalised and lost the ability to make what most people would consider to be normal judgments of what is right and wrong.
“I think there is now a role for independent candidates for whom politics is a vocation rather than a career and who have experience outside of the incestuous world of politics. This is why I have said I will join the Jury Team in standing against corrupt MPs at the next General Election.”

We don't have a monopoly on greedy politicians

We live in a world where news travels fast - the shenannigans regarding abuse of expenses in Westminster has been reported around the globe. Here are some links from:
Canada, India, China, USA.....doesn't show the UK in a particularly positive light does it?

In one country however, the press have followed the UK's example and started asking questions about their own politicians allowance claiming habits. Go for it Australia!! Ask awkward questions, expose the greed and dodgy dealings, and then kick them out of power.

The poor state of public transport

This morning I travelled to London for the Jury Team launch event - more of that later - and was presented with the following travel choices in order to get to Westminster by 10.00am:

If I took the direct train from Swindon, the cost would have been OVER £200 for two of us, as it was peak time travel - the alternative was to drive to Oxford (about 30 miles), park in the park and ride, travel into the town centre and pick up the Oxford-London express coach - total cost for two about £40....the trade off however was one of time. While the train takes about an hour, the car/coach option takes around 3 hours.

The point of this story? We deserve better - public transport should be fast, frequent, safe, convenient, comfortable and most of all, accessible/affordable. I hadn't considered it much until I was approached about the Trans Wilts rail campaign, but perhaps if more of our politicians got out of their chauffeur driven cars and travelled on public transport (at their own expense!) maybe the rest of us would enjoy better travel options.

Jury Team South West about to hit the streets

The six Jury Team candidates in the South West have put together a joint leaflet, which we'll be hitting the streets with over the run-up to the June 4th election.

With the best will in the world, we are going to struggle to get a leaflet into every household in the region, but you can help spread the word in the following ways:
1. If you can spare even a couple of pounds, please donate using the button on the right;
2. If you can spare some time and would be willing to distribute some leaflets around your local area or workplace, please contact me on bill@southwestindependent.eu ;
3. If you can spare 2 or 3 sheets of paper, please download our leaflet from here, and circulate to your family or friends

Lets prove that together we can make a difference!!!

Independent candidates get results

On 11th May I wrote to Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson QPM to ask if enquiries would be made where there is is an indication of criminal activity inMP's expense claiming habits. I'm pleased to say that this has been picked up by the press in Gibraltar.

This morning, I received a letter from Sir Paul's Private Office advising that my correspondence has been passed to DCI Michael Murphy, who wil respond to me as soon as possible. I'll keep you informed of developments.

Support a Trans Wilts Train service

One thing I am finding as a candidate is that I am being approached to support various initiatives and causes. One such cause is to support a Trans-Wilts rail service, and having read some more about this, I'm happy to support such a sensible idea. Should I get to Brussels, I'll certainly do what I can to help progress this, including lobbying for infrastructure funding.

You can find out more and pledge your support at http://www.transwilts.org.uk/pledge.html

Key questions from a potential voter

The All Seeing Eye, a regular commenter on this blog has been kind enough to send me the following questions - its a meme set up by Daniel1979 on his blog, so here goes...

1. Has there ever been an occasion when you failed to notice that you have paid your mortgage off months, possibly years in advance, and just had not realised?
No - it beggars belief that anyone wouldn't notice unless they were a) incompetent; b) had some ulterior motive, possibly criminal; or c) both a & b.

2. Does your property contain a moat?
No, but I do have a small fish pond where Boris the sturgeon lurks among the goldfish

3. Do you think you could in good conscience accept a salary and allowances whilst not actually attending your place of work or office?
No, because being found out would be embarrassing

4. If you were told that it was within the rules to go jump off a cliff, would you do it? No, I'm capable of independent thought

5. Are you able to tell the difference between a room in a house, and an actual house? Yes, which my explain why I am not Home Secretary

6. Are you able to commute a distance under 35 miles for work purposes without the need for an additional house being provided? Yes - I'm lucky that I live quite close to my work but I know hard working, normal people who have to commute 100 miles each way every day to keep the pay cheque coming in

7. Do you know what an Iron is? Are you having a laugh? RN basic training taught me not only to dhobi and iron, but also fold everything "book size". Mrs B usually irons my work shirts though, and a fantastic job she makes of it too

8. Is your TV or Stereo likely to need an upgrade in the next 5 years? Yes, and I'll pay for it myself

9. Do you have a warped sense of humour OR Do you have a helipad? I don't even have an allocated car parking space!!

10. If you did need two houses to live and work, do you think it possible to designate one as a main home, and stick by that decision for the duration of that employment? Maybe, but if I did sell a second home I wouldn't evade CGT

11. If you work in a different place to where you live – do you find yourself, or could you envision, eating twice as much food as you would if you lived more locally to work? Twice as much??? I'd explode like Mr Creosote

12. Do you know what a pergola is? No, but its probably curable with a shot of penicillin

New website for the Jury Team South West

The six candidates in the South West are working together to get the Jury Team message across - even though we are all fiercely independent in our views, we are also committed to working together for the common good. This co-operative working, while maintaining individual independence is our great strength....and its the way we'll work in Brussels, unlike the other MEPs who are effectively shackled by party alliances.

Have a look at http://www.juryteamsouthwest.eu/ and let us know what you think

Mark Thomas, I salute you...

Mark Thomas is a comedian, presenter, political activist, investigative reporter and the holder of a Guinness World Record.

On 14th May, lawyers acting on Mark's behalf served legal papers on Speaker Martin. As the chair for the House of Commons Commission, he should take urgent steps to commence a review of the department's actions in dealing with MPs' applications for expenses. These should include an independent audit of expenses and the forced repayment of wrongly claimed expenses; and in cases of fraudulent claims, the police should be called in. Speaker Martin has 14 days to respond. If he does not, Mark will instigate a judicial review of Speaker Martin's decision, on the legal grounds that public law should be consistent. MPs should not be allowed to be above the law and what is good enough for us is good enough for them.

On his website, Mark says “MPs are not above the law. If they have wrongly claimed expenses they should be made to repay. If they have acted fraudulently the police should be involved. This is what would happen to all of us as members of the public if we tried to fiddle public money.
Fraudulent benefit claimants are not allowed to form committees comprised of benefit claimants to investigate their misdemeanours. Nor can exposed tax cheats offer to pay back money because they are ‘concerned about how it looks to the outside world’ and then walk away with no repercussion.
If I need to go to court I will be making a public appeal to cover the legal costs of the case, which I’m sure will have overwhelming support!”

Further details can be found on Mark's page in the Guardian - it was also featured on the BBC Daily Politics show.

Independent candidates get results

On 11th May, I wrote to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police demanding investigations into the expenses activities of some MPs.

Since my letter, the Met has received a high volume of similar complaints, from a range of sources including the Taxpayers Alliance, Daily Mail, the Mayor of Middlesbrough Ray Mallon and countless individuals. Even Boris Johnson has commented "Frankly, looking at some of these cases it looks to me as though Plod needs to come in," he told Sky News.
"I must be careful what I say here because I am chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, but it looks to me as though some people may very well have a serious case to answer."

Tonight the Met have issued the following statement:
"A joint statement by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relating to allegations of misuse of parliamentary expenses:
Before the recent media exposure about alleged misuse of parliamentary expenses, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner instigated meetings between the MPS and CPS in relation to a number of allegations made to police.

Due to the increase in subsequent allegations received by the MPS, the Commissioner and Director of Public Prosecutions have decided jointly to convene a panel to assess allegations in order to advise on whether criminal investigations should be started.

A panel, comprising officers and a senior CPS lawyer, will commence a series of meetings next week.

Bulletin 0000001284
15 May 2009"

Take care to avoid a penalty....

I haven't blogged much this week, as I've been watching the expenses story continue to unfold. This week has give us a rush of party leaders and dodgy MPs queuing up to say "sorry" on primetime TV. Lets be straight here - THE ONLY THING THEY ARE SORRY ABOUT IS GETTING CAUGHT.

There is a changing public mood (I have never seen an edition of BBC's Question Time like last nights - although Margaret Beckett would seem to have a new career as a panto villain sewn up when the voters of voters of Derby South tell her to take her hanging baskets and sling her hook). Jury Team candidates are in a fantastic position to offer the electorate a real, positive choice.

As well as the rush to apologise, there also appears to be a sudden clamouring within the political elite to bring new standards of transparency and decency in public life. SORRY FOLKS, TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

Is it a mere co-incidence that they seem to have discovered basic morality only after the Daily Telegraph started exposing their excesses? This is fundamentally why Jury Team candidates are different; By entering the text vote primary, all Jury Team candidates explicitly accepted the principle that "Politicians should fully comply with the Nolan Principles of Public Life and have externally decided and transparent remuneration". The Jury Team text primary ran from 16th March to 24th April. The Daily Telegraph ran with the scoop on 8th May. The evidence is clear - Jury Team Independent candidates base their position on principle and conviction - career politicians of all parties simply say what they think the public wants to hear, and even then, only when they are effectively backed into a corner.

I am particularly disgusted by the process of "flipping" properties, not only to maximise the allowances that can be claimed, but also to cynically avoid Capital Gains Tax. I don't particularly like stumping up my hard earned cash to the Revenue any more than the next man, however I accept that paying tax is an obligation and public duty - I want to live in a society which educates the young, looks after the sick and disabled, supports those in need, and gives the elderly dignity in their retirement. Schools, hospitals, pensions, social-security, defence - they all cost money, and that money has to be raised through taxes. In my book, manipulating the system to avoid paying tax thats due is morally repugnant. The sight of Hazel Blears and Greg Barker waving cheques around to apparently pay HMRC the money they supposedly "don't owe" (?) in unpaid Capital Gains Tax is truly bizarre. If they dont owe the tax, why are they paying it (especially as HMRC has a statutory duty to only take payment where it is due) - on the other hand if they do owe the tax, where is the interest and penalty charges? I'll be writing to the Revenue to ask them......

Letter to The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police

Now the Telegraph has turned the spotlight on members of the Conservative Party and also the smaller parties such as Sinn Fein, it is becoming clear that the abuse of the allowances system is endemic across the political spectrum. Following massive public concern, HMRC have announced that they are actively looking into whether any tax has been evaded - I trust that their investigations will be thorough and rigourous as I sense the public mood will not accept a fudge.

By their actions, some MPs have critically damaged faith in the democratic system in the UK. This boil must be lanced, and the only way to do this is to hold them fully accountable for their actions. I have therefore written the following letter to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service:


Sir Paul Stephenson
Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW1H 0BG
11th May 2009
Dear Commissioner Stephenson,

In light of recent press coverage of the expenses claimed by MPs from a number of political parties, does the Metropolitan Police Service intend to launch investigations into whether criminal activity has taken place, particularly in relation to s.2 of the Fraud Act 2006, or any other relevant legislation?

The “Green Book 2006” published by the House of Commons Department of Finance & Administration is clear in section 3 that Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) can only be claimed for “... expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred when staying
overnight away from their main UK residence (referred to below as their main home) for the purpose of performing Parliamentary duties. This excludes expenses that have been incurred for purely personal or political purposes.”

The “Green Book” is also clear in its guidance to claimants that “It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself when you submit a claim...have been wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the purpose of performing...parliamentary duties”

A number of the press revelations, if accurate, would appear to fail these tests. Given that this issue crosses the political spectrum, I would be grateful for your assurance that if any investigations are undertaken, they will be conducted without fear or favour, and any criminal behaviour will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,


William Barnett
Jury Team Independent Candidate for the South West
Region, in the European Parliamentary Elections, 2009.
bill@southwestindependent.eu
www.southwestindependent.eu

A number of the MPs highlighted in the media have used the smokescreen that they have "acted within the rules" - I do not buy this, the rules are clear and are noted above. The other excuse that is being put forward is that it is the system that is wrong, and the blame lies with some poor bloody civil servant in the fees office. Again the rules are clear - the responsibility lies with the claimant.

Whether an offence under s.2 of the Fraud Act 2006 has taken place may hang on whether action was taken "dishonestly". In my view, MPs are caught between a rock and a hard place - in making these claims they are either dishonest or incompetant, there can be no other alternative. Either way, dishonest or incompetant, they have no place in public life - we deserve better representatives!

Harriet Harman recently raised the concept of the "court of public opinion" - well that court is being called to order on June 4th for its first hearing, the European and local elections. Sometime in the next year, it will hear its second case, the UK General election.

In the court of public opinion, every man and woman with the vote forms the Jury. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, if you stay at home and do not exercise your vote, or you cast your vote for ANY party, you are condoning at best incompetance, and at worst criminality. Use your vote to send down the whole party system - vote for Independent candidates who are committed to representing your interests, not those of their party or themselves. Vote Jury Team.

STOP PRESS!!!!! South West Independent Anti-Sleaze MEP Candidate launches new election strategy

Hat Tip to Alan Wallace, Jury Team Scotland

I wasn't going to blog tonight, but.....

Today's Daily Telegraph Editorial says it all really - the continuing saga of MPs expenses is a scandal at the heart of our democracy. My JURY TEAM colleague in Scotland, Alan Wallace has also written an excellent piece on his blog. I'm disgusted and angry, to the point of finding it difficult to articulate without resorting to the kind of language more suited to the messdeck than a rational political discourse.

Make sure that you are registered to vote, then on 4th June make sure you go to the polling station, even if you have to crawl on your hands and knees and use the one weapon that will hurt them - your vote. A vote for a Party candidate is a vote to accept sleaze and corruption, as is the stay at home option. Vote Independent, vote Jury Team and lets start rebuilding democracy and honesty in public office.

Where I am on the political spectrum

After taking the test at Political Compass, it would appear that I'm a left-leaning Libertarian, in the same vein as Gandhi or Nelson Mandela - yet more reasons to vote Independent on June 4th

Trust is a bit like virginity.....

once its gone, you never get it back. For our politicians, if we can't trust them not to abuse their positions (even if they have technically acted within the rules that they wrote for themselves) then how can we trust them to carry out their public duties in an appropriate way? The post of Home Secretary is one of the great offices of state, yet the current incumbent diminishes it by her actions - she obviously considers that it is acceptable to claim expenses as noted in the table, because they are "necessary in order for her to fulfill her public duties"?

Sorry Miss Smith, but your greed disgusts me, as does the contemptuous attitude displayed by you and your cohorts across the party political spectrum. Unfortunately the European Parliament also has its share of greedy self-serving parasites - if you haven't already done so, have a look at the short video by a German investigative TV crew or read this piece from the Independent.

If this behaviour disgusts you too, then make a stand on June 4th and vote for an Independent Jury Team candidate.

Can you help me to change things?

The 6 Jury Team candidates in the SouthWest are working together to put our message across - although we are all fiercely independent, we all recognise that co-operation is absolutely vital, both in the campaign and also in the future when 1 or more of us is elected to Brussels.

Its this independence which will allow us to work across the traditional party lines, to secure the best outcomes for the people of the South West, rather than being held hostage to party dogma.

Some interesting analysis on Political Betting suggests that the turn-out on June 4th will be at a record low. I consider this a damning indictment on the party system - people are actively turned off by the prospect of voting, yet this perversely suits the established parties, as they know they can rely on a core vote. Everything is stacked against any change in the status quo - new parties and unaffiliated independent candidates are stifled by the high deposit required (£5k per candidate) and the reality that campaigning costs money. The established parties have it stitched up that donors can claim tax relief on donations of up to £500, provided the donation is an eligible political party - the criteria for eligibility being at least 1 member of that party being elected to the House of Commons, plus candidates of that party securing at least 150,000 votes at the last general election. Please, if you can afford even a couple of quid to help my campaign, please click on the DONATE button. As a guideline, this is how your donation could help:

• £5 pays for 300 brochures


• £10 lets me leaflet 1000 people in a city centre on a Saturday afternoon


• £50 gives me a month's worth of Google Ads


• £150 pays for 500 badges# £200 will print 1000 posters for supporters' windows


• £500 will pay for a month's worth of Facebook adverts

Remember, I have committed to total transparency, and will be publishing a full breakdown of income and expenditure after the election.

I don't like nazis.....

There is a lot of concern in the press that the BNP will pick up votes in the European Parliament election on June 4th. If they do, the only people to blame are the current crop of politicians of all parties who have progressively alienated the average man (and woman) in the street, while cynically milking the system for personal gain. If you are sick of the way things are, don't vote for the BNP - or any other party for that matter - vote independent, for people from your community who will represent your community.

On a related note, Peter Hain ("forgot" to register his donations, and employed his 80 year old Mum as a "researcher") should have been preaching to the choir by writing in the Guardian... unfortunately, the comments suggest otherwise. Here is a cracking example from "HarryFlashman" :
"Can you imagine how awful it would be if Britain was run by Fascists?

They'd make sure everyone carried identity papers and you'd be arrested if you failed to show your papers to a policeman, a policeman who would be armed with stun guns and two handled billy clubs and who'd beat unarmed demonstrators to the ground if they protested government policy. The police would be granted the right to intern suspects without charge for months and if anyone spoke out against the government they'd be arrested as "terrorists".

There would be constant monitoring of every citizen by CCTV on every street corner, the government would have access to your emails and phone messages, Jesus, they might even do crazy stuff like implanting computer chips in your bins to monitor your rubbish!

Anyone who happened to dislike some aspects of the government's social policy would be forced out of business and making jokes or speaking your mind about certain protected classes of people could see you losing your job or even your children. The state would gain control over the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of citizens and anyone who deviated from "acceptable" standards of behaviour would be punished by being deprived of health or welfare assistance.

The state run media would be intimidated into parroting government spin and lies and everyone from doctors and nurses to teachers and neighbours would be expected to report to the government any behaviour which was deemed to be outside government decreed standards.

Who knows they might even go crazy and start invading other countries.
Er. . ."

Couldn't put it better myself......

European Parliament expenses - a scandalous affair...

Some great investigative reporting here, showing the abuse of expenses in the European Parliament. On June the 4th YOU have a choice -
1. Vote for the same old faces, same old parties and continue to be screwed;
2. Stay at home, and continue to be screwed;
3. Vote INDEPENDENT and replace the crooks and chancers with real people just like you, who want to change the way things work.
(hat-tip to Plato for the fantastic vid!)

Back in the saddle again......

As friends and supporters will be aware, I narrowly missed out on being in the top 6 in the South West when the primary text vote closed last Friday. I've now been advised by Jury Team that one of the 6 has since pulled out, and as 7th place candidate, I have therefore moved onto the list for the European Parliamentary election - I am therefore pleased to formally launch my election campaign.

Between now and June 4th, I need your support - together we can break the stranglehold that the political parties have over the democratic system. By voting for an independent, you can send the message that the party is over, and that you reject the current system of self and party interest taking precedence over the interests of the people.

Make sure you are registered to vote - this can be done by going to the Electoral Commission website completing a short form and returning it to your local registration office by 19th May.

As well as your vote, I would welcome your support in other ways - this could be as easy as spreading the word among your friends and family, and asking them to support me.

Another way you can help is by donating to my campaign. Donations can be made securely online by PayPal, and all donations will be used exclusively to further the campaign. As part of my commitment to transparency, full income and expenditure accounts will be published on this website. If you don't feel that you can support me as a candidate, but still want to support the concept of encouraging independents then please consider making a donation to the Jury Team.

I'm excited and enthusiastic about the next few weeks - if just 1 independent candidate gets elected, a shock-wave will go through the political system....If a number of independents get elected, the upheaval will be of seismic proportions. Working together we can achieve this......

only 4 days left to make a stand for democracy

In my last post, I set out the standards of behaviour that I will abide by should I be elected to the European Parliament in June 2009. I do not believe that these standards are unreasonable - in fact they are the standards of conduct that I believe the voting public shouls EXPECT from those who represent them.

As we now have only 4 days of text polling left, its time for me to set out what I would like to achieve, and what I will work for if elected. If you agree with what I want to do, then please text WILBAR01 to 86837, and spread the word to your friends and family. Under the proportional representation system, parties put forward a list of candidates. Those candidates are then elected based on the proportion of votes received by that party - so for example, if Jury Team's independents poll 50% of the vote, then the top 3 on the list (of 6) will be elected.

What did I set out to achieve when I decided to stand as an independent? Firstly, I want to give people a real choice to use their vote in a positive way. The turnout in the 2004 Euro elections was a poor 38.2%.....is the system so broken that almost two thirds of the electorate choose not to bother? The party list system builds on this apathy..toe the party line, and you go on the party list - the message is clear, represent the interests of your party, above those of the electorate. I believe that this is wrong!! who apart from Jury Team gives YOU the voter the opportunity to not only select candidates for the list, but also their position on the list? Actually, who apart from Jury Team gives YOU the voter the opportunity to put yourself forward?

I believe that the EU is not necessarily fundamentally broken, but it is in need of subtantial reform - how can a body which is seemingy unable to balance its books (or demonstrate this through rigourous independent audit) not have damaged credibility? Unfortunately, reform cannot and will not happen unless MEPs are elected who are committed to improving the systems underpinning the EU and the lot of the electorate.

Many of the problems which will face us in the 21st century are so large, that effective action will need to be taken on an international basis - issues such as energy security, environmental issues, food security, migration, infrastructure, border security - these problems will only be solved through cooperation and concerted effort - "If we don't stand together, we will be defeated one by one"

Time for a new way of working

On this website I'd like to detail a bit more about myself, and what I stand for. I'm currently a prospective independent candidate for the elections to the European parliament.

I'm paticipating in the "open primary" being run by the Jury Team - Launched in mid March 2009, the Jury Team was founded for those people who believe in democracy, but who have observed how the current party political system has turned the United Kingdom's Parliament and Government into the creatures of a small and increasingly distant group of oligarchical politicians.

The "open primary" is a world's first - anyone can stand, and those candidates with the highest number of text votes on 24th April will be supported as official independent candidates. You can vote for me by texting WILBAR01 to 86837 - texts cost 25p plus normal network charges. My Jury Team profile page can be found at http://www.juryteam.org/candidate-profile.php?id=10523

I believe that representatives should serve their voters, not their own self interest. I therefore give the following undertakings:

1. If elected, I will not join any of the various factions or groupings within the European parliament, but will instead remain truly independent and thus able to represent the best interests of the people of the South West region;

2. I will ensure that all of my financial dealings are transparent. Any staff I employ will be selected through fair and open competition, with the posts advertised across the South West region. I will not employ family members or cronies. I will not employ staff through company structures which would enable me to make personal gain. Any expenses claimed will be for activities wholly connected with representing my constituents - there will be no second homes, claims for barbeques, flat screen TVs, Sky subscriptions or pay per view porn. Where there are expenses, reciepts will be made available on my website within 30 days. Where possible, goods and services will be purchased from companies within the South West region;

3. I will not undertake any other paid employment while an elected representative. I will have one job to do, and intend to give it my full attention;

4. I will give a full account of my activities and attendance on my website every month, through a "scorecard" - this will show (among other things) my voting record;

5. The South West is a large region, but I will hold 1 public surgery per county (including Gibraltar) every 3 months. The locations of these meetings will be moved around to enable the widest access by the people of the South West, and dates will be published in advance on my website;

6. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I would make a point of visiting Gib at the very earliest opportunity to discuss the way forward. If it is the will of the people that Gibraltar should have its own directly elected representative to the European parliament, then this is something that I will actively campaign for, and until that point, I will make every effort to represent the people of Gibraltar with the same diligence as other constituents in the South West region;

7. I am not a career politician - If I am elected, I will serve a maximum of 2 terms before standing down;

8. I am not a lawyer or a PR expert - I don't do spin, half truths, deception by omission, disinformation/misinformation or other verbal chicanery. I will answer questions about my role and activities as a representative fully, openly and without reservation or equivocation.