Comments on: David Blunkett http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900 Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:22:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Chuck Unsworth http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3733 Chuck Unsworth Thu, 03 Nov 2005 13:04:31 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3733 I wouldn't bet on it. Blair has always managed to ensure that he, his family and his cronies are all very well taken care of. Just take a look at how they've worked the systems so far...... I'm not so concerned about that but it's the ongoing sanctimonious claptrap which gets to me. I wouldn’t bet on it. Blair has always managed to ensure that he, his family and his cronies are all very well taken care of. Just take a look at how they’ve worked the systems so far……

I’m not so concerned about that but it’s the ongoing sanctimonious claptrap which gets to me.

]]> By: James http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3726 James Wed, 02 Nov 2005 14:45:12 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3726 In response to Chuck Unsworth's question: No. Mr. Blunkett won't keep getting Ministerial allowances. These are paid by Parliament, not by the Government, so in accordance with Parliament's rules he will now drop down to the normal level of allowance as recieved by most MP's (ie those who are not ministers). I would imagine that he won't have a Ministerial car anymore wither, as these are provided by the department - and he no longer works there. In response to Chuck Unsworth’s question:

No. Mr. Blunkett won’t keep getting Ministerial allowances. These are paid by Parliament, not by the Government, so in accordance with Parliament’s rules he will now drop down to the normal level of allowance as recieved by most MP’s (ie those who are not ministers).

I would imagine that he won’t have a Ministerial car anymore wither, as these are provided by the department - and he no longer works there.

]]> By: Chuck Unsworth http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3724 Chuck Unsworth Wed, 02 Nov 2005 11:48:13 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3724 Well now he's gone, but not admitting culpability of course. Merely that his position is 'untenable'. There's still no moral or ethical dimension to any of the Downing Street comments. These guys just do what they think they can get away with. Where's the probity, decency or even self respect in any of this? And will he be clinging on to his Grace and Favour residence, allowances, ministerial car etc? Watch this space for the payoffs......... Well now he’s gone, but not admitting culpability of course. Merely that his position is ‘untenable’.

There’s still no moral or ethical dimension to any of the Downing Street comments. These guys just do what they think they can get away with.

Where’s the probity, decency or even self respect in any of this?

And will he be clinging on to his Grace and Favour residence, allowances, ministerial car etc? Watch this space for the payoffs………

]]> By: Michael McCarthy http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3723 Michael McCarthy Tue, 01 Nov 2005 13:46:03 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2005/10/31/1900#comment-3723 The government draws up a "ministerial code of conduct" supposedly to prevent corrupt practices. But as it's only voluntary, and the ultimate responsibility for enforcing it lies with the prime minister, it can clearly be broken at will if the transgressor is regarded as a sufficiently valuable prime ministerial henchman. Corrupt or what? What is needed in the UK is a written constitution which ensures that government is fully accountable and that it works to enforceable rules and limits on its powers, and empowers citizens to invoke legal processes to call governments to account at any time when these rules and limits seem to have been broken. What has long exceeded its shelf-life is a system which encourages arrogance, corruption and even criminal behaviour (see the illegal invasion of Iraq) by placing huge power, discretion and powers of patronage in the hands of prime ministers. The government draws up a "ministerial code of conduct" supposedly to prevent corrupt practices. But as it’s only voluntary, and the ultimate responsibility for enforcing it lies with the prime minister, it can clearly be broken at will if the transgressor is regarded as a sufficiently valuable prime ministerial henchman. Corrupt or what?

What is needed in the UK is a written constitution which ensures that government is fully accountable and that it works to enforceable rules and limits on its powers, and empowers citizens to invoke legal processes to call governments to account at any time when these rules and limits seem to have been broken. What has long exceeded its shelf-life is a system which encourages arrogance, corruption and even criminal behaviour (see the illegal invasion of Iraq) by placing huge power, discretion and powers of patronage in the hands of prime ministers.

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