Falconer: MPs had it coming
By politics.co.uk staff
The former lord chancellor has told MPs they “had it coming” from the moment they tried to keep their expenses secret.
Lord Falconer, one of Tony Blair’s most important confidants and a former key minister in his administration, warned the public no longer trusted politicians at all.
In an interview with the Times, Lord Falconer said: “There is a 24/7 searchlight on politicians. The public is as well informed as parliament and can find out the same information.
“But some politicians thought they could continue as if they were in some kind of privileged position and keep all that material secret.”
He added: “This kind of secrecy is no longer acceptable.
“I think the damage to parliament is very significant because people no longer trust their politicians, they think they are all in it for themselves, and that is worrying.
“And they think politics is too tribal – that people are for the Tories, or Labour, and not for the country.”
He also called for an overhaul of ‘collective Cabinet responsibility’ so ministers would feel more comfortable voicing dissent.
