Here is one:
SIR ”“ The bishops who accused New Labour of being “beguiled by money” hit the nail on the head (report, December 28). However, it is not just Government policies that shame Labour as the gap between rich and poor widens. Individual greed has also been allowed to flourish.
Nearly 30 former Labour ministers have taken second jobs in the private sector. For example, two former health ministers are consultants to companies that sell services to the NHS.
There has been a marked drop in confidence in the integrity of politicians: the growing exodus by ministers into the private sector since Labour came to power further contributes to our concern.
Alice Mahon
Halifax, West Yorkshire
[i] Nearly 30 former Labour ministers have taken second jobs in the private sector [/i]
Horrors! What are former ministers supposed to do, worm their way into the civil service? Or spend the rest of their days fishing, knitting, and playing tiddlywinks?
The difficulty, I think, is that they use their contacts in politics for the good of the companies that employ them. By and large the legislative process in the UK does not allow for what in the US would be called ‘pork’. What happens much more is that contracts are not put out to full competition, and lo and behold the company recommended by the former minister is the one that gets the contract … which may be the same company that made a big donation to the party (that too may sound familiar to US readers). Finally, ministers and MPs when they retire get some of the best pensions in the country, paid for of course by the taxpayer. After even a few years service as a parliamentarian you need never work again.
One fact not stated in the letter: the author, Alice Mahon, is herself a former Labour Member of Parliament, for Halifax.
#2. No reason why she should say so of course. Highly respected as a good constituency MP (I know as a Halifax resident) and not a great supporter of New Labour either.