The week according to Sean Dilley
Broadcaster and general nuisance Sean Dilley gives us his take on the week in politics.
Ed Balls has ensured his place as U-turner of the week after eating his words on working with Nick Clegg. It's was a mistake of 'Ukip are looney's and fruitcake' proportions.
It wasn't that long ago that the shadow chancellor said he couldn't sit in the same room as Nick Clegg – but now, as Labour and the Conservatives kick off their 2015 election campaign on such issues as the old age pension and immigration, Balls says he could now work with Clegg in a Lib-Lab pact. Hang about, wasn't that tried in 1977?
And aren't politicians concerned that if they say one thing and do another that the public might start to think they are…. never mind.
Oh well, if the 2010 general election's taught us anything it's that quite literally anything is possible and the Lib Dems seem, for the moment, pretty central to who forms the government of the day – and let's be honest, they seem to be enjoying it more than a little bit.
Still, all this talk of the apparently impossible happening ought to be a timely reminder to politicians to think a little more before making sweeping statements.
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There are no words that could possibly express the sadness felt in Westminster at the death of Paul Goggins who died this week aged 60.
Paul was liked and respected across the House – and perhaps as Speaker John Bercow explained, this could be because he "always played the policy and never the man".
If all MPs followed Paul's philosophy, parliament's reputation among the public would surely be much higher. I am certain I speak on behalf of all Westminster villagers when I say sleep tight Paul, I do believe you've earned the rest.
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Anyone who's ever doubted that common sense has somehow disappeared from the human race has surely had their suspicions confirmed by the news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is considering writing a five minute grace period into law to stop over-zealous councils – of which there are many – ticketing motorists for overstaying by a matter of moments.
It's highly doubtful that anyone would seek to attack the DfT for this proposal since we now live in a world where common sense is six feet under and councils are raking in half a billion quid in parking fines each year.
Mind you, I suppose in these times of austerity, local authorities need to find some way to fund their spy-planes, bin investigators and 'council cops' who have been proven time after time to be more Clouseau than Columbo.
But wait just a moment, I might have an idea… what if councils just did things like refuse collections, street maintenance, housing and community work? No, that wouldn't work, they may have to cut council tax bills – besides, how else would council workers fill the days?
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As a political journalist, I have been incredibly lucky to have entered the frontline of reporting at probably the most historic political times since the second world war. I am also proud to have played my small part in holding many politicians to account for ridiculous and, in a small number of cases, criminal claims for expenses. On the other hand, I have always drawn heat from certain commentators for standing up for those claims which genuinely are necessary to do the job we ask politicians to do, and I think I'm about to draw similar heat now.
The problem is, there's little plaudits for anyone to defend the corner of MPs – in fact those doing so will certainly be accused of turning native – but on behalf of all that is right and proper, I must say that this week's focus on MPs £4.5 million expenses bill is a bit ridiculous.
Following the expenses scandal of 2009, rules and procedures were overhauled and the worst offenders were sent to jail. Thousands were claimed for clock tower maintenance, for moats, private security patrols on one former MP's second Soho home as well as the cost of Chinese rug cleaning by that same millionaire former member – money that had no place in MPs' pockets.
But at the risk of being branded an 'MP's mate' or 'apologist', many MPs have been taken out of second home entitlements for instance and only expenses that truly are necessary are permitted. Any infractions are detected and resolved pretty quickly and public confidence is much higher.
Now I'm no Carol Vorderman but at an average expense claim of £6,923 per MP before Ipsa pension and condition restrictions come in to effect, the Great British public are getting a much better deal from the system. So let's stop being hysterical shall we?
