LOSING THE PLOT!

Now there is losing the plot and there is losing the plot!

There is disgraced Conservative MP, David Wilshire, who has compared the treatment of MP's over their expense claims to the plight of Jews in Nazi Germany. Mr Wilshire, the man who resigned after having to repay more than £100,000 in expenses to his own company, went on to suggest that the "witch hunt" against MPs "will undermine democracy" - clearly he has lost the plot as well as his seat!

And there is Harriet Harman's who's reassurance to worried MP's that any proposed reforms of the MPs' system of expenses will probably be watered down before they are implemented - clearly she has lost the plot - the loss of the seat may come later!

Now with Sir Christopher Kelly's report, which is expected to recommend draconian curbs on allowances and a ban on employing relatives, pending and it is worth noting that the Kelly recommendations will be only one of several submissions to the new independent parliamentary standards watchdog.

Digging ever, deeper, Ms Harman, the Leader of the Commons, when asked whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) could reject Sir Christopher's proposals, Ms Harman, the Leader of the Commons, said: "It is entirely a matter for them, but they will, I'm sure, want to draw on his important work. It is a matter for them to decide, not for Sir Christopher Kelly." That's all very reassuring, but the question is reassuring for who? - that minority of MP's who milked the system to line their pockets or the rest of us who paid for it.

Now by way of quiet comparison, in Wales, a system for expenses for Welsh Assembly Members has come into force, specifically designed to prevent any future abuses. The changes include the abolition of flat rate allowances and in future all claims will have to be backed up receipts. Well done the National Assembly - maybe Westminster should look to Wales for a practical and workable way of putting elected members expenses into the public domain.

However, Conservative AM's have said that they will not support the idea of an independent board to set AM's pay and allowances. Obviously there would not be enough of a change of slipping through receipts for a large comfy sofa or big TV on expenses then! Same old Tories...