John L Bell's Blog

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 59!

2010-10-29T12:11:00.001+01:00

I am back in business! Thanks to the A and E team in Cornwall who confirmed the detached retina in my left eye back in July and the surgical team at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, who drilled a number of holes into my eye, inserted the pincers and the laser and welded the retina back in place!
Thanks also to my daughter, Juliet, who drove me to the hospital in Cornwall and then continued on a seven hour drive back to the Wirral! Thanks also to her fiance, Neil! Sorry I spoiled the engagement week!

Thanks especially to my wife, Tina, who has looked after me and nursed me back to health ....... again!

Now.... where have that shower in The Fraudsters' Parliament been hiding in my absence, .... what have they been up to ..... and are the judicial representatives in this country still playing the Three Wise Monkeys and seeing no fraud, hearing about no fraud and speaking about no fraud in relation to MPs?

Check out thiis article in The Guardian from a while ago .......:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/26/britain-corrupt-mps-expenses-scandal

And those rogues really thought that it would all blow over!

The Fraudsters' Parliament! - 58

2010-07-11T13:31:00.000+01:00

Check out the link below for the latest 'wheeze' by MPs to part the taxpaying citizen voter in the UK from their hard earned money!

It's easy really!

Invent a rule which states that if a debate lasts longer than 1.00a.m. any MP, (including those with second homes nearby!) any MP gets £130+ !!

Then toddle off the the taxpaying citizen subsided bar and get drunk!

The stagger back to the House of Cons as late as possible ensuring that the debate is delayed as long as possible!

(Optional) Slur speech and any questions to drag out the debate as long as possible! (Don't want the hardworking taxpaying citizen voter to spot the con, do we? HIC!)

Trouser the proceeds!

The Sheeple will never spot it!

WRONG!

Check out the story by clicking on the link below to take you to a Telegraph article;-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7883204/MPs-gain-130-expenses-by-talking-until-1am.html

The Fraudsters' Parliament? - 57

2010-07-08T21:59:00.000+01:00

They are at it again!!!!!!!

Trying to rubbish IPSA!

Trying to claim 'it is all too too much!!!'

Trying to get their snouts back in the trough while the taxpaying citizen voters of the UK have to tighten their belts and endure a reduction in services!

Back to the old tagline for the Fraudsters' Parliament:-

'Citizens Burn While MPs Fiddle!'

UK MPs are trying once again to get their noses in the trough and fiddletaxpayers' monies.

Check the link:- http://gu.com/p/2t822/tw

The Fraudsters' Parliament? - 56

2010-06-21T08:52:00.049+01:00

Those nice folks in New Zealand continue to have problems with their MPs and one or two dubious expenses! - It's nice, in a way, to know that it is not JUST our lot who can't be trusted! The difference is that, in New Zealand, at least one politician is trying to do something about it! Surprise! Surprise! He is having problems from other politicians! One of the politicians in the New Zealand parliament had, according to one comment left for the article, been in the UK parliament for two years!!! - If this is true ........ enough said!!

I picked up this article on the http://www.3news.co.nz/ website. As usual, I felt the need to leave a comment!

Read the artice by clicking on the link below:-

http://www.3news.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=419&articleID=161801&ce2663=1#comment
y

Meanwhile....................... back at the ranch in the UK..................... one of those from the Fraudsters' Parliament is trying to sue The Telegraph for defamation! ....... Wait for it! ..... he is claiming that, because of a Telegraph story concerning the MPs' fiddles.... OOOPs!.... I mean the MPs' expenses story...., his 'reputation' has been;-

'..gravely injured, and that he has been embarrassed and upset, and been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.'

Public scandal!................. Odium! ............................. Contempt!.......................

Should not, then, ever single MP in The Fraudsters' Parliament be suing at least 3-400 other MPs in that once august body for their actions since said actions have led to .....Public scandal!................. Odium! ............................. Contempt!.......................?

And what about that wicked individual (whoever he is!) who has suggested that the definition of The Fraudsters' Parliament could (allegedly) be:-

The largest single concentration of shysters, con artists and fraudsters this side of prison bars!'

Find out more about the article by clicking on the link below which will take you to the appropriate page in the http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/ website. (Please note: for some reason, unknown to man nor beast , there is a lot of blank space at the top of the page for this article! Just scroll down the page and you will find the headline and the article!)

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=45609&c=1

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 55

2010-06-16T23:44:00.002+01:00

Check out the latest from Mark Darcy's blog on the rantings of those MPs who are trying to neuter IPSA and thus get their fingers back in the till and their seats reserved back on the parliamentary gravy train?....

Am I just a little cynical about their breast beating, tearing out of hair etc.... etc .... etc..... relating to the bogeypersons at IPSA? ('Bogeypersons' - how PC is that?)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/06/anger_among_disgruntled_mps.html

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 54

2010-06-16T19:22:00.000+01:00

Someone has commented on my comment on a comment made by in his blog on the BBC website!

.... And I thought I was nothing more that the voice of one, crying in the political wilderness!!! (Note to self! - The person commenting on my comment on the comment on the BBC blog did not like my random use of exclamation maarks!!!!!! - Don't understand what they mean!!

Click on the link below to check this out:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/06/gripes_and_grumbles.html#comments

And thank you, El_Fidge, for taking the ttime to read my comment and comment on it!

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 53

2010-06-15T23:11:00.001+01:00

The BBC's Mark Darcy has been taking my name in vain! He writes about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster. NO!..... It is not ALL about fiddling expenses, you know!

I commented on one of his blog entries about MPs moaning that IPSA are apparently delaying MPs from getting their fingers back in the till. He read the comment and later referred to it in a post!

Check out his BBC blog below. Better be quick! The BBC comments section is reactively moderated so as soon as some MP, of some MP's crony, complains about me using words such as 'Fraudsters' and 'Parliament', my comment will probably be removed!

They're a bit touchy down at the old BBC about MPs being referred to in such terms, so I left an apology to the moderators at the BBC within the post. It doesn't cost to be polite, after all!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/06/gripes_and_grumbles.html

The Fraudsters' Parliament? - 52

2010-06-13T18:28:00.001+01:00

Up to their old tricks?!?

Apparently the Director of IPSA is leaving early because of the stress caused by MPs who reason that - now that the dust has died down re: MPs' expenses' frauds - they should be allowed to throw out the new regulatory system and get down to ssome serious 'hand in the till' fiddles!!

Read the story from a blog on the online version of the New Statesman by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/mehdi-hasan/2010/06/alan-johnson-david-davis-quit

'Why else does one con the 'sheeple' into voting for one in an election? Would do the these taxpaying citizen voters expect - some sort of public service!'

'Are the sheeple SO stupid that they have not learned why WE go into politics!'

As you know, if you have read the 'about me' bit of this blog, I am a teacher in the real world!

Some sums!-

646 (The number of MPs in the last Fraudsters' Parliament) MINUS 226 (The number of 'new' MPs less a number of previous lobbyists, party lackies, party clones, party official etc. who cannot really be said to have known nothing of the parliamentary frauds) EQUALS 420 (MPs who somehow survived - all power to their 'conning' credentials - from the old Fraudsters' Parliament still in Westminster)
Thus the probabability that the new parliament will morph into The Fraudsters' Parliament - Part Deux exceeds 50%!
Q.E.D

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION NEWS!

Heather Brooke has won another award! This time it is the IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) Awards in the USA. She has been awarded a medal in the Freedom of Information Section - rightly deserved too is the opinion of this taxpaying citizen voter! No mention of course in the recent UK honours announcements ....... I wonder why?

Click on the link below for more information;_

http://www.ire.org/resourcecenter/contest/#FOI

The Fraudsters' Parliament? - 51

2010-06-06T22:32:00.002+01:00

Found an article in the Independent newspaper's archive. It gives an account of the treatment of Elizabeth Filkin, the parliamentary official who was turfed out of the House of Fraudsters for trying ..... too hard.... to curb the fraudulent actions of MPs! This article names one or two of those who might (allegedly) have been behind the putsch to get rid of her. I wonder how many of THEM should now be behind bars for stealing taxpayers' monies? I will try to do a little digging to see if I can find the minutes of any meetings etc. or was it all 'knife in the back' stuff with no records kept!

Three questions come to mind.

1). Wouldn't it be interesting to check out some of the names of those involved with her removal with the list of those who were discovered to have been stealing taxpayers' monies?

2).Is it not time for her heroic attempts to clean up the fraudulent practices of MPs to be recognised?

3). Is it not time for those who removed this lady so that that they, their families and their cronies could carry on stealing taxpayers' monies had their reputations rubbished?

Check out the article in the Independent's archive by clicking on the link below:-

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elizabeth-filkin-a-woman-scorned-616334.html

The Fraudsters' Parliament? Would still appear so! - 50

2010-06-03T13:53:00.001+01:00

A week, as they say in politics is a long time! Last week I was cautiously (very cautiously!) optimistic! But now we see they are still at it!

The Fraudsters' Parliament? -49

2010-05-15T12:08:00.001+01:00

Notice the slight change in post title for this post? I decided to cast aside my normal somewhat cynical approach to politicians in the UK Parliament (Having difficulty now using the pronoun 'my'!) in view of the new governement.

Who am I to assume that any consignment of fraudsters and thieves (many of whom managed to hold onto the seats and are still in parliament) cannot have a 'road to Dasmascus' moment and vow meaningfully never again to steal a single penny piece from the taxpaying citizens of the UK?

In this heady atmosphere of bonhommie and general backslapping (makes a change from back stabbing!) I have only five questions;-
1). What news of the 'minnows' and their trial?
2). What news of of IPSA?
3). Anyone know where we misplaced the Fraud Act?
4). Any idea if the new Prime Minister and the new Chancellor will be claiming for a second (or third) home to be near parliament... now that we also pay for them to stay in Downing Street and one or two other 'grace and favour homes'?
5). When will we, the taxpaying citizen voters of the UK, hear the slamming of cell doors behind ALL those politicians who have stolen public monies?

News from Canada!

Those nice people the Canadians are having trouble getting information on the fiddles practised by their MPs...... OOOps! I done it again.... I mean the expenses details of their MPs!

Nothing to worry about though.... Their MPs assert that all is well and therefore there is no need for an independent audit!..... Sounds familiar?

Check out an artice by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/mps-deny-auditor-general-access-to-expense-accounts-93839254.html

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 48

2010-05-09T09:32:00.004+01:00

I haved just picked up on a story in The Telegraph which may be of interest.
If the article is correct, the Wikipedia entries for a number of MPs (upto 10 so far) have been altered to erase any reference to their expenses claims plus one or two 'inconvenient' pieces of information.
One Chris Grayling, expecting to be our new Home Secretary, is one of them. Is there something in the job decscription for the Home Secretary of our banana republic which states that any candidate NEEDS to be willing to fiddle taxpayers' money?

Nothing unusual in the alteration of a Wikipedia entry.... they are editable by their very nature...... it is just that the IP addresses of the computers used to change some of the entries suggest that parliamentary computer was used!

Read the aricle by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7696484/MPs-accused-of-Wikipedia-expenses-cover-up.html

As my old Irish Uncle used to say.... "Sure 'tis a miracle!"

Alleged Fraudster to Squeaky Clean Politician with a few key strokes on a keyboard!

The Fraudsters' Parliament-47

2010-05-08T18:39:00.002+01:00

In an earlier post (The Fraudsters' Parliament-44) I suggested that a banana republic could be defined using a number of criteria applicable to the current political system in the UK!

1). Large scale plundering of taxpayers' monies by those in political power!

2). Politicians feel free to sell their influence to the highest bidder as 'cabs for hire'!

3) A judicial system which is 'bent' in favour of any politician caught with his/her hand in the till.( No charges to be brought, if at all possible with a bunch of cronies claiming to be 'dealing' with any potentially criminal activity! ....... if that doesn't work, only a sample of politically unimportant patsies to be charged.... and even for them, nothing that would suggest parity with a taxpaying citizen such as standing in the dock , for example!)

4). Legislation , such as THE FRAUD ACT 2006, which applies to all citizens but is 'mysteriously' disapplied to any member of the political class caught breaking the law!

We can now add another feature which was identified during the last election:-

5). Citizens prevented from gaining access to the place of voting and/or the voting procedure!

As my two children used to say on long car journeys............'Are we THERE yet?

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 46

2010-04-26T21:26:00.002+01:00

I decided to do a little research on how my MP in my constituency voted in parliament in the various votes on matters of transparency particular in relation to MPs and their financial arrangements in parliament!

Thanks to the kind people at http://www.democracyclub.org.uk/

They have sent out questionnaires to as many parliamentary candidates as they could. They have an interesting bar chart showing the number of prospective MPs who have replied. Not ALL parties seem to want to tell us what theey think on certain key matters!

They provided the link so that I could find the voting record of my MP on matters of parliamentary transparency which will take you to http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/.

Click on the link below to be taken to the site. To find out how your candidate voted.... or made themselves scarce... click on the link and put in your postcode in the appropriate box.

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpid=1569&dmp=996

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 45

2010-04-18T21:05:00.003+01:00

Blast from the Past!

Here is the text of one of my earliest emails concerning the MPs' fraud scandal and the reply from 10 Downing St. It dates from February 2008. I had sent a letter of complaint to the Metropolitan Police and followed it up with the email below to Downing Street.
This was their reply!
I had expected some sort of action! ......... but, remember this was BEFORE we knew just how widespread the scams practised by MPs was!
'Dear Mr Bell

Thank you for your message to the Prime Minister which you sent through the Downing Street website (www.number-10.gov.uk ).

We need to confirm that we have your correct details and that the message shown at the bottom of this email is from you.

Click on the link below to confirm your message.

http://pm.gov.uk/Output/page8514.asp?MessageGUID=83B5987E-CE73-47DB-B604-CC1B35E6DA72

If you did not send this message, please contact the Downing Street web team at mailto:webmaster@pmo.gov.uk.

Once you have confirmed your email, your message will be passed to Downing Street staff to read. Although the PM is unable to answer emails personally, all your messages are read and the PM is given a report on the issues raised, along with a selection of messages.

Thanks,

The Number 10 Web Team

Here is the text we received:

RE: Aleged embezzlement by one or more MPs

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re; alleged embezzlement of pulic funds.

As a tax paying UK citizen, I am contacting your office to request that an immediate investigation be initiated, by the appropriate police authorities, into the recent allegations of alleged embezzlement by one or more MPs.

If your office is unable to initiate this action, I will take the necessary steps to initiate such an investigation as a private citizen.

Yours sincerely,

John L. Bell '

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 44

2010-04-14T21:26:00.002+01:00

I don't know if there is an official way of determining what it is that determines whether a state is a 'banana republic!

I would, however, suggest that the following 'benchmarks' might help in the definition;-

1). Large scale plundering of taxpayers' monies by those in political power!

2). Politicians feel free to sell their influence to the highest bidder as 'cabs for hire'!

3) A judicial system which is 'bent' in favour of any politician caught with his/her hand in the till.( No charges to be brought, if at all possible with a bunch of cronies claiming to be 'dealing' with any potentially criminal activity! ....... if that doesn't work, only a sample of politically unimportant patsies to be charged.... and even for them, nothing that would suggest parity with a taxpaying citizen such as standing in the dock , for example!)

4). Legislation , such as THE FRAUD ACT 2006, which applies to all citizens but is 'mysteriously' disapplied to any member of the political class caught breaking the law!

As my two children used to say on long car journeys............'Are we THERE yet?'

Newsflash!

Someone is following my blog! Thank you.... whoever you are!

The Fraudsters' Parliament 43

2010-04-11T00:09:00.003+01:00

This article from the online of The Hindu Magazine in India, gives an interesting viewpoint on the current state of politics in Britain.

Check it out by clicking on the link below:-

http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/04/11/stories/2010041150190400.htm

By the way!

I had a nice email from someone at The Times asking if they could print an edited version of one of my comments on their online version. You can read the printed letter plus the original article and my full comment by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article7094391.ece

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 42

2010-04-09T17:57:00.002+01:00

I picked up this very interesting article about the current political situation in the UK on a online edition of The Australian!
The article has an interesting slant on the role of the smaller parties in the electoral race!

Check out the article by clicking on the link below:-

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/smaller-parties-may-be-labours-best-chance-to-cling-to-power/story-e6frg6so-1225851997372

This Fraudsters' Parliament -41

2010-04-07T23:55:00.002+01:00

Blast From The Past!

Click on the link below to go back in time to The Daily Mail April 7th 2007 - Three years ago!

This link reminds us how THREE YEARS AGO those in this Fraudsters' Parliament tried to exclude themselves from the Freedom of Information Act to hide their fraudulent claims from public scrutiny:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-455877/MPs-freedom-information-cover-dark-day-democracy.html

As a taxpaying citizen you might want to ask yourselves a number of questions;-

1). Is my MP on the list of those who voted back then to exclude MPs expenses from the Freedom of Information Act and keep their scams and fraudulent claims away from public scrutiny?

2). Is my MP one of those who voted against Maclean's amendment?

3). Was my MP one of those who chose to be elsewhere when the vote was taken - in the hope perhaps that it would be passed without them having to come out of hiding!

4). How many of the names on the list of MPs who tried to exclude themselves from the Freedom of Information Act should be behind bars for fraud?

If you are a member of this Fraudsters' Parliament who tried to get this amendment passed, you may want to ask yourself two questions:-

1). How in creation did I expect to get away with it?

2). How can I stop the electorate in my constituency from seeing that my name is on the list?

More 'Blasts from the Past' to come!

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 40

2010-04-06T00:18:00.001+01:00

I have just picked up a link to an entry on a blog in New Zealand giving a view of the possible effects of the general election on the state of politics in the UK!

Click on the following link to read the blog:-

http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/uk-general-election-promises-dramatic-change-whoever-wins/1273/44044#comment-11436

As usual, I left a comment!

The Fraudsters' Parliament -39

2010-04-04T19:17:00.000+01:00

Do you want to know what they think of the UK MPs' expenses scandal in Africa?

Click on the link below to access the online edition of an African publication 234Next.com based in Nigeria with a story about the UK MPs' expenses scandal:-

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/World/5549457-146/story.csp?CSPCHD=0000000100003141cTy0000000NVJ_x44R71sZIvP3sHYaug--

This Fraudsters' Parliament - 38

2010-04-03T13:30:00.021+01:00

RE: 'I do not accept that I 'fiddled' my expenses. I believed that I was entitled to make the claims because of what I had been told by the chief whip and other peers. '

The speaker was a member of the House of Lords explaining how he had pocketed taxpayers' monies for overnight stays in London wheen he was at home! There will be no charges brought 'through lack of evidence'!

Let's make a drama out of the expenses crisis!

Imagine!

Scene: Any Crown Court in the land

Dramatis Personae: Any FULL taxpaying citizen voter (defendant), Judge, CPS official, Senior police officer, Pet shop Owner

Taxpayer: (Looking sheepish in a slightly practised sort of way) I admit I robbed the bank, your honour, but my mates and other cronies down the pub explained that it was alright because, at some time in the future, and taking into account my state of good health, that over the next fifty years or so, I MIGHT have made enough deposits into said bank to cover the 'withdrawal'. They also explained that the sawn off shotgun and rather fetching ladies stocking could merely be defined as 'fashion accessories!

Representative of the CPS: That sounds fine to me M'Lud! I mean.... we don't have any REAL evidence he meant to rob the bank!.... and his mates and cronies did give him permission!

Senior Police Officer: I agree, M'Lud! (Thinks: Now about the recommendation for a knighthood I was promised!... The missus will be pleased!)

Judge: Well... That's alright, then! Just say sorry and that will be fine! ..(Don't forget you owe me a favour, Archie!!'... You pay for the next round at the golf club!)

Judge: Next case!....

(Enter Pet Shop Owner)

Judge: Ahh! Yes! This disgraceful case of the scoundrel selling a goldfish to an under 16 year old! ........

ONLY IN THE CLOUD CUCKOO LAND THAT IS THIS FRAUDSTERS' PARLIAMENT!

One piece of good news:- I received my copy of 'The Silent State' by Heather Brooke.

Now.... let me see ......... what else don't they want me to find out!

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 37

2010-04-01T17:40:00.002+01:00

The following link will take you to the thisisexeter.co.uk.news website with a story about a LibDem MP who has been showing us it is not just Conservative and Labour MPs who have had their hand in the till in this Fraudsters' Parliament!

Yet another MP given a gentle slap on the wrist by his cronies in The Fraudsters' Parliament when any ordinary FULL taxpaying citizen voter would be expecting a stay in one of HM penal establishments!

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Teign-MP-apology-expenses-scandal/article-1962868-detail/article.html

I could not help making a comment!

The Fraudsters' Parliament -36

2010-03-31T17:42:00.001+01:00

I read an article in The Guardian today. I couldn't help but comment!

This is the text of my comment;-

Re: ' ... the scandal over MPs' expenses is just the tip of an iceberg and shows that a culture of entitlement has developed in Westminster..'

Are you not being rather polite here? Instead of the term 'culture of entitlement', I ( a mere FULL taxpaying citizen voter!) would have used the more accurate 'propensity to commit fraud'!

To read the article for yourself please click on the link below;-

Re: 'Only then will we truly have a clean break from the past.'

Again, speaking as a taxpaying citizen voter, the full and proper break with the past will only come AFTER I have heard the slamming of cell doors behind ALL in this Fraudsters' Parliament who have stolen public monies irrespective of political party or seniority within that party!

Why has the Fraud Act 2006 apparently been suspended in respect to the frauds committed by MPs and their cronies?

Now..... if they had not stolen tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money ... but tried to sell a goldfish to someone under 18, we could have expected the full force of the law to have swung into action!!

Remind me....Exactly which banana republic am I a citizen of?'

To read the article for yourself please click on the link below:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/31/ian-kennedy-report-mps-expenses

The Fraudsters' Parliament - 35

2010-03-29T21:28:00.015+01:00

I have just found an interesting story about the MPs' expenses scandal posted by the London coresspondent of a Canadian newspaper, The Montreal Gazette. You can read the story on their online edition by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/SCANDAL+VOTERS+MINDS/2737651/story.html

Tuesday 30th March - update

I have just picked up a story in The Guardian concerning the sending of yet another file about MPs' expenses being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Check out the story by clicking on the link below;-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/30/new-parliamentary-expenses-file-passed-cps

Are the police finally getting their act together? No name has been given yet! I wonder if it will be another of the 'minnows' or one of the many in this Fraudsters' Parliament who should be behind bars?