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Rhondda Cynon Taff Welsh Liberal DemocratsWelsh Liberal Democrats in Pontypridd, Rhondda and the Cynon Valley |
RCT Lib Dems Back Clegg's Call For Speaker's Resignation
May 17, 2009 7:20 PM
Welsh Liberal Democrats in RCT have welcomed Nick Clegg's call for the resignation of the Speaker of The House of Commons, abandoning a long held tradition that Party Leaders avoid criticism of the office holder.
Local Party Chair Karen Roberts said that it was long held traditions that caused this outrage in the first place
"Just because the claims made have been designated as 'within the rules' doesn't make them right. The fact that something is legally acceptable doesn't always make it morally justifiable.
"The rules are quite simply wrong, and should have been changed a long time ago. The Speaker has been a key figure in resisting change, and whilst he is by no means the only person at fault then he has to take the responsibility that goes with the post.
"Public trust has to be regained and that will not happen by everyone sitting back and waiting for someone else to take the initiative."
The call came just a couple of days after Rhondda MP Chris Bryant became the latest in a long line of MPs accused of abusing the system. It is alleged he claimed thousands of pounds of taxpayers money doing up his house in Porth.
Whilst denying claims that he abused the system he admitted that he designated houses in the Rhondda and London as his 'second home' at various times.
Pontypridd Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell is concerned that the recent scandals have dented public faith in all politicians, and that this will take some considerable time to rebuild.
"This scandal has involved politicians cross Party and the public are rightly angry - as am I.
It is too late for them to turn around and promise to repay the money now. The damage has been done. The very fact that they thought it ok to make the claims in the first place says it all.
The current rules are ludicrous. Every MP should have their main home in the constituency which they represent. There should be no alternating to take advantage of expenses.
Their London home should be Government owned, and furnished to a basic minimum standard. Any extras should be paid for by the individual.
It will be a fight for all of us to convince the public that we are not all in it for what we can get, but hopefully people will realise that to get change they have to positively vote for it and not stay at home."
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