Norman Baker - on the take I see?

[Frutos]

Perhaps he should concern himself more with matters within his own constituency and less with issues in Tibet.

He's probably a great MP for the town of Lewes himself (whose residents will, if he desires, vote him in from now until the end of time), but he couldn't give a shit for the rest of his constituency.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

chairmanship of the Free Tibet committee or whatever position he holds kind

Something else for nothing - he should just pay like everyone else.

 

[Dave the OAP]

So Mr Whiter than White Norman Baker

reported this morning on BBC Breakfast time

Norman Baker broke the rules 37 ( YES 37) times by travelling to India and Tibet paid for by groups and then asked questions in Parliament referring to the countries without declaring an interest

unbelievable


oops sorry...didnt see the original post

 

[Bwian]

Something else for nothing - he should just pay like everyone else.

He's a politician-they're all out for what's in it for them. I wish there was an alternative to them.

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

My signature says everything I want to say about the man.

 

[The Oldman]

I fear the people of Lewes will re-elect him, well they are a couple of decades behind the rest of the country so expect them to finally realise what a theiving he is in the year 2030.


I just hope he decides to stand down at the next election afterall he's being caught out after trying to play an anti-corruption and clean up Parliament campaigner.

It's not just the people of Lewes. His constituency covers, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford and a large area east of Lewes. Many think that he has been a good local MP after decades of moribund Tory MPs who often did not live in the area. The Lib Dems also do well at local elections. Again I think it's because the area is not naturally labour but the legacy of past Tories is still felt. Also East Sussex CC which is Tory has allowed Brighton's Sewage worrks to be built in Peacehaven and Brighton & East Sussex's incinerator at Newhaven so Mr Baker has a lot going for him.

Personally, having met him don't like the man but he probably does not like me!.

 

[Tooting Gull]

I only heard the Baker stuff this morning on the BBC, but the Dispatches programme made grim viewing.

Even if they haven't technically breached any rules, and that is not certain, to see the likes of Hewitt and Byers brazenly talk about how to grubbily circumvent rules to get access to and influence with ministers for money (ie the sponsorship of think tanks) made me think of politicians in an even worse light. Which was hard, considering the start point. Hewitt sounded like an arrogant, greedy Tory - and she has no place in the Labour party.

As for Baker, he should be declaring this stuff before asking a question but it isn't the worst crime in the world. There is a feeding frenzy at the moment. Have to say, if I was some of these MPs I might throw it back at the Beeb. It's not as if some of their expenses and salaries/expenditure aren't outrageous, similarly for newspapers. A lot of hypocrisy around.

 

[The Large One]

He has been rewarded for asking questions about a certain subject in Parliament, something he might not have done if he hadn't been influenced by a) someone buying time with him to influence him and possibly his question in Parliament or b) a free trip which could be seen as somone trying to influence him, c) he failed to inform people (possibly policy makers) than his input to proceedings may have been influenced and that he has a vested interest - this could have altered any findings or answers

He has set himself up as someone who is looking to expose corruption and clean up Parliament, so by his own doing, he has been caught being corrupt and therefore should go asap. Whats the difference between what he has done and say an MP who claimed for a small item like a Mars Bar on expenses when they shouldn't be which he was trying to expose in his campaign?

So whats the difference between receiving a free trip somewhere or being given cash to ask questions or influence Parliamentary debates?

Ok, so human rights in Tibet may be seen as a nobel cause, but whats to say that other parties haven't influenced all of his Parliamentary career, were companies that stood to benefit from say building flood defenses in Lewes exerting an influence on him to press for the improvements in the town? or has there been any perks given to him for any of the other questions he has asked that he has also failed to declare?

Failing to declare an influence once or twice as an oversight?, maybe, but 37 times seems too often to be unintentional or being acceptable.

I think you've got this arse-about-face. He hasn't been bought to be on any Free Tibet effort - it's something he's wanted to do (and was doing before he was an MP) and doesn't get paid for.

Yeah, so he's crap at administration, and asked questions 37 times (or whatever) while not saying that he has an interest in a free Tibet. But in the great scheme of things, nothing much changes whether he has a registered interest or not. The worst thing that has happened is that he broke the rules by not declaring that interest.

 

[Spiros]

Perhaps he should concern himself more with matters within his own constituency and less with issues in Tibet.

He's probably a great MP for the town of Lewes himself (whose residents will, if he desires, vote him in from now until the end of time), but he couldn't give a shit for the rest of his constituency.

Agreed. After all he is the MP for Lewes, not Tibet. MPs are there to represent the interests of their constituents, not those of whichever foreign country takes their fancy (and/or buys them a holiday).

 

[Easy 10]

Yeah, so he's crap at administration

Isn't it AMAZING how so many MP's seem a little bit difficient when it comes to the admin side of things. So many "oversights" and "unintential errors" when it comes to all KINDS of little perks and treats they receive in their line of work, but somehow slip the net when it comes to declaring them.

I dunno. What a bunch of scatterbrains eh !
Bless em.

 

[Altered State]

Isn't it AMAZING how so many MP's seem a little bit difficient when it comes to the admin side of things. So many "oversights" and "unintential errors" when it comes to all KINDS of little perks and treats they receive in their line of work, but somehow slip the net when it comes to declaring them.

I dunno. What a bunch of scatterbrains eh !
Bless em.

Yes, because they frame the law which is so understanding if you or I make a genuine mistake on a tax form or benefit claim. Sorry, it was an error gets you nowhere unless you're one of the corrupt MPs (and there are some that are good people, believe it or not).

Love the banner ad. at the top of NSC just now - 'contact a LibDem in your area. Click here'. Anyone in Lewes going to click?