Monday 1 June 2009

Bye Bye Darling

There are two things we expect our chancellor to be, given that he's in charge of the nations cash.

1) Trustworthy
2) Good with money

Mr Darling has shown that he fails at least one of these tests. He really should resign, it is as simple as that.

3 comments:

Don't Call Me Dave said...

Rog, you are right, he has to go. But we are going to get Balls in his place who will be even worse.

We need an election now!

Rog T said...

David,

I don't agree about an election now for a simple reason. Not all of the revelations have been released, there are still details leaking out.

The Telegraph should end the game and publish the lot. Associations should have an opportunity to get new candidates. An immediate election would disenfranchise voters if replacements were in place.

I'd like to see Brown announce an Autumn election, to give everyone time to get their house in order.

If I were Brown, I'd spike the telegraph, publish the rest of the facts, give directions to the associations etc.

Would you really like to go to the polls with Villiers in situ. Anyone like her should go through reselection. If she wins, fine that is a decision of the Chipping Barnet Tories. I think that Tories in Chipping like may other voters need a period of reflection.

Anonymous said...

I haven't spoken to Theresa Villiers about this matter, and nor she me. However I am looking forward to her shortly holding the public meeting in Chipping Barnet so local people and ask questions about the issues raised in the Telegraph and beyond. David Cameron is right that this is essential in order to clear the air and show a commitment to transparency.

On the issue of transparency Theresa is a member of the Shadow Cabinet and therefore is having her expenses published here:

http://www.conservatives.com/expenses/expensesPopup.html

There are a lot of expense returns on this list, but from my reading, the only one for the purchase of a 'service' from a constituency association, that isn't broken down, is under Theresa's name.

On 20/05/2009 under "Administrative & Office Expenditure" a payment of £715.85 for "Monthly rent and service payment to Chipping Barnet Conservative Association for constituency office facilities" is made. For those too bone idle to click on the link, nearly all of the other MPs' listed claims are for actual items ie gas bill, office rental, broadband etc. I would expect this figure to be broken down to see what this sum of £715.85 to the local Conservative Party Office, every month(?), is for.

David Cameron has demanded full transparency. I am sure he have expects this facility to be used in a way so the public can see where the money is going and not for large unexplained payments to be listed in this way.

Hopefully this can be resolved before the, imminent(?), public meeting.