Corruption in UK democracy. Gasp!

Whilst the current US administration is being shown for the web of deceit it is, here in the UK David Blunkett is in the news again, showing us all how many lapses of judgment a senior politician can have and still get away with it. Obviously this man is being made an example of by the media, to the extent that ex-lovers and colleagues realise there is a few quid in pointing this stuff in their direction.

Or, in fact, things are simply being pointed out to the world by those experiencing his wrath, as this recent lapse reported here and here highlights (one I apparently missed at the time, but was obviously just the hors d'oeuvre this month for the latest round of 'bash the Blunkett'). Here's a tip - buy a computer David, and type your own private letters like most people have to. Then, regardless of your dubious dealings, you can at least make sure you put it on your own private stationery.

Now, this last week or so, it appears he has been making more interesting deals whilst out of the public spotlight after the 'Nannygate' fiasco - and at least one of the companies he has been dealing with and has been 'making important introductions' for, is now queuing up to accept work from government agencies he now controls.

There is a comedy take on this in the Telegraph - here - which suggests Blunkett may just be plain bonkers, but appeals to Blair that either way, leaving him in a top job probably isn't a good idea.

HEADLINE: Politicians can use positions of power to make money and influence people.

Until this fact is addressed much more rigorously than it is, this will never change. How about actually restricting the civil liberties of politicians to such a point that, heaven forbid, those making decisions for the populace might have to concentrate on policies that benefit the populace. I cannot see that most would think it so drastic. For example...

Whilst serving as an MP:

1. You are generally only allowed to own one house at a time.
2. Whilst you are due an MP's salary you must not accept any other money for anything that passes as work one might expect to receive money for, or do such work with the promise of money or favour at a later date.

I was going to write several of those, but that covers most of it, doesn't it? Simple. Any MP worth their salt will still improve their self-worth and employability after they leave and will have been able to serve their course as an elected public servant in a vein much more similar to an 'average' person. Democracy wins.

Also in the news, John Prescott and his wife have their day in court with Greenpeace this week - here (apparently a rather dodgily written hash by somebody on work experience at the Indie, but the only story out on this so far) after Greenpeace installed some solar panels on his house.

As this is going to be in the news again, let's run a sweepstake on how many times Prescott can, once again, label one of the world's finest non-violent organisations with the word 'terror'. I say lots.