Dishonourable and disreputable

“Handing knighthoods and other honours to financial backers of major political parties risks bringing the system into “disrepute” because of the suspicion of corruption, according to the standards watchdog.” Daily Telegraph 2/1/12 

Another statement in the long long line of stating the bleeding obvious, this is yet another example of how our political elites do not give a monkeys about  the way this plays out with ‘ordinary folk.’ They know it will be a two-day wonder. 

“Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, was speaking after four leading Conservative donors who had collectively given the party nearly £1million were given awards in the New Year honours list. Paul Ruddock, a hedge fund manager, and Doug Ellis, a package holiday millionaire were knighted, while James Lupton, an investment banker, and James Wates, a construction firm tycoon, were awarded CBEs in Saturday’s list.” (ibid)

Labour have huffed and puffed but with no real conviction. They are mired in sleaze by the ‘Cash for Honours’ scandal. And as for the LibDems?  They are in the dock thanks to their refusal to pay back the £2.4 million they received from convicted fraudster and current fugitive Michael Brown. 

Anyone who thinks these baubles are all that these wealthy wankers want must be living in cloud cuckoo land. Nothing like a large dollop of cash to buy yourself some influence - and improve your bank balance.

So there you have it. Another instance where reform is long overdue but where there is neither the will, the desire, or as yet the pressure to force our political elite to do anything.