The point that Tory MP Nadine Dorries and many Westminster journalists have been making is that there are many innocent bystanders in the “Expenses Scandal” who seem to be taking it harder than those at the eye of Duckgate etc.
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay seemed a case in point. Mr Mackinlay had raced from Westminster to a Jack Petchey Debating Evening at Chafford Campus and then on to the Thameside Theatre.
YourThurrock caught up with Andrew there. He appeared tired and drawn and personally you do start to worry that the workaholic 60-year-old is taking care of himself.
He wouldn’t answer questions on the record regarding the expenses hence the headline. South Basildon and East Thurrock MP. Angela Smith would.
It would appear that the most important thing here is for balance. If there has been criminality then that should be investigated with due diligence and process. If there has been abuse then there should and will be reform but let us not throw the baby out here.
There are 646 MP’s. No they are not all the same. It has taken us a long time to establish the cherished democracy that we have. Kings have lost their heads. Let’s not lose ours.
