when the revolution comes if you feel guilty just listen to this a few times - clicky and squirm then go load two barrels

In May 2009 he was involved in the parliamentary expenses scandal, and was reported by the Daily Telegraph to have claimed over £87,000 on his constituency mansion which he designated as his second home. Expenses included items for rabbit fencing, tree surgery, woodland consultants and bore hole maintenance.  As a result, he has announced he will not contest the next general election.

Steen blamed the scandal on his constituents who he believes are envious of his "very, very large house." Appearing on a national radio broadcast, he boasted that his house has been compared to Balmoral Castle and declared "do you know what it's about? Jealousy."

As well as his constituents, Steen believes the Labour government must also share some of the blame for the scandal surrounding him. Had it not been for the Freedom of Information Act, introduced by the "wretched govern­ment," Steen does not believe anyone would have found out what he was up to.

platty wrote on 22. May 2009 at 22:38:


If you don't mind flowery language , DK sums him up pretty well here:

http://devilskitchen.me.uk/2009/05/breathtaking-arrogance.html

Couldnt have put it much better myself.Suprised Guido Fawkes hasn't said anything about it yet (unless i missed it)

Yep Thanks for the link nick

Just remember .... there are 646 elected MPs in parliament, the press has been "full" about the behaviour of maybe 40 ??

Now I'm not condoning anyone, or saying everything is rosy .... but a little perspective might not go amiss.

SOME have had their snouts well and truly in the trough, but it could well be that many have simply been doing the job they were elected, and paid, to do.

Just my thoughts .. nowt else ..

Entwood wrote on 22. May 2009 at 23:59:


Hmm, I just read this article and I'm not sure that I agree many have been simply doing the job they were elected, and paid, to do.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5369324/Life-under-Labou...

Excerpt:
"We are snooped on more than the average North Korean, harried by marauding armies of parking enforcers and wheel-clampers; pestered by health fascists and safety obsessives and shaken by speed humps. If we smoke we are told where to puff; it we drink we are made to feel guilty; if we drive a big car we are pariahs; if we hunt we have been turned into criminals; if we make an "inappropriate" remark we can expect a visit from the police; if we stand up to hooligans we can end up in court."

No, to allow this to happen, they have NOT been doing their jobs, IMHO. I'm glad the expenses story has made people sit up and think, for once.   

Entwood wrote on 22. May 2009 at 23:59:


Point taken Entwood, but i`ve a feeling that there`ll be quite a few more `outed` in the coming weeks. As the old saying goes - Power corrupts, abslolute power . . . . . . . . . . .
Also, 40 out of 646 is nigh on 9% of them. Now if 9% of ANY organisation was found to be on the take - how would that business be viewed? 

Entwood wrote on 22. May 2009 at 23:59:


why do we need so many MP's, 646 to represent a population of about 60 million yet in America i think they have about 440 in congress to represent around 300 million 

I heard this on the radio earlier.
This bloke has written his own deathwish.
He says that the people complaining are just jealous of the size of his house, and it's nobody elses business!!!
Sorry, but didn't we all pay for his house???