Not Through Words But Through Action

Following the comments I have made on my web site concerning the actions that are being reported on in the Press and Media about MP's. I thought that Wednesfield would like to see the correspondence I have received today from Gordon Brown the Leader of the Labour Party and the current Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown writes- Like me, you joined the Labour Party to make Britain fairer and stronger. It’s always hard work campaigning in politics – but I know that it’s even harder than usual at the moment. You deserve better than the scandal that is casting a cloud over Westminster right now. All of us take our place as Labour members, campaigners, councillors, organisers or elected representatives because we believe in something quite fundamental – that we achieve more together than we do alone. We come into politics not for what we can get but for what we can give.

This week, I apologised on behalf of all politicians and all parties and set out Labour’s determination to put thing s right - not through words, but through action.

Two MPs have been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party this week while the Standards Commissioner investigates their cases – investigations that we ourselves have asked for. And a third has stepped down as a minister while he is being investigated.

I have discussed this matter with the General Secretary and Chair of the NEC and we are all clear that where wrongs need to be righted the Labour Party will not hesitate to invoke its disciplinary procedures.

This is not a time for papering over cracks – it’s a time to clean up the system as a whole. I have called for every single expenses claim made in the last four years to be put to independent scrutiny – and an independent process to decide what should be paid back. Already we have ensured that outer London MPs won’t get the second home allowance, that just like any other organisation MPs should submit receipts with their claims, and any MPs who ha ve second jobs should declare them properly. And we are looking at strong rules to regulate the tax and mortgage affairs of politicians –that’s only fair.

You’ll know from your own campaigning on the doorstep that politicians’ most precious asset is trust and I know that we have a lot of work to do to regain it. Now more than ever people on modest and middle incomes need a Labour government standing by their side, so you have my word – when it comes to cleaning up politics, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you proud to campaign for Labour.


Regards,

Gordon