Attacks on MP's

Over the past week, I've noticed that the House of Commons has come under scrutiny from a number of sources; from journalists and critics, to the very MPs that sit in it.

On Monday, ePolitix.com reported a Liberal Democrat whip's outburst on fellow MPs:

You look around the House of Commons and see some Members who have been there for 15, 20, 25 years and who are frankly doing nothing, particularly the ones with large majorities. It is not part of my plan to be hanging around the chamber waiting for death.

Paul Keetch's comments to House Magazine probably sum up the feelings of many politically-disillusioned members of the public. Those who feel that their possibly rather old and past it MP's have little effect on their community, will only see comments such as these as reinforcing their dim view of British politics.

Other attacks on the Commons have come over costs to the British public. BBC News online reported the case of a Labour MP urging Whitehall's sleaze watchdog to hold an independent inquiry into MPs expenses. The row erupted over claims that MP's were putting down trivial items such as:

plasma screen televisions, fish tanks and iPods.

The cost of MPs to the taxpayer also came under attack after a Labour MP called for all MPs to receive free Blackberry devices, reports the BBC. A row was also caused over the cost of a new parliamentary visitors centre, expected to cost £12.5 million to the tax payer.

But it's not just in this country; MLA's in Northern Ireland's assembly are being rewarded with a pay rise, something Sinn Fein's Cheif Whip Caral Ni Chuilin believes is:

Out of line with both the low rate of inflation and the pay settlements other workers are being asked to accept.

It seems that MPs as a whole have been having a tough time in the eye of the public recently. Personally, I think some of these are harsh criticisms and non-stories - but as the BBC's Nick Robinson explains in his blog;

Only the House of Commons can break that circle - by reforming themselves.

Only reform can change our age old system and bring the majority of the public back on the side of their MPs - and not continue to see them as money grabbing, useless old gits.