A Very British Revolution: The Expenses Scandal and How to Save Our Democracy Paperback – 1 April 2010
by
Martin Bell
(Author)
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The revelations over MPs' expenses that began in May 2009 ranged from petty thieving to outright fraud and sparked a crisis in confidence unprecedented in modern times. This was a 21st-century Peasants' Revolt - an uprising of the people against the political class. Ordinary men and women with political views across the spectrum were by turns amused, incredulous, shocked and then bitterly angry as the disclosures on MPs' expenses flooded out. From Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's bath plug to Conservative MP Sir John Butterfill's 'flipping' of his constituency home - a now-notorious manoeuvre that required him to refund GBP60,000 to the taxpayer - the exposure of MPs' expenses revealed Westminster's culture of quiet corruption like never before. Drawing on his experience as an MP and as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Martin Bell explains how the expenses crisis arose and, most compellingly, lays out his prescription for healing the deep wounds inflicted by the scandal. As Martin puts it: 'The revolution will not be complete until all the rogues in the House are gone and public confidence in the MPs remaining is restored.' This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revive British politics, and the rebuilding starts here.
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date1 April 2010
- ISBN-101848311281
- ISBN-13978-1848311282
Product description
Review
‘The book took 10 weeks to write and reads quickly off the page.’ -- Eastern Daily Press
‘The journalist turned accidental MP has an insight not available to reporters.’ -- Eastern Daily Press
‘I am especially interested to read Martin’s new book...And I am recommending that everyone buys his book.’ -- Douglas Carswell, MP for Harwich and Clacton
‘Adversity, Bell reminds us, can actually be quite useful.’ -- Tribune
‘Bell doesn’t mince his words condemning the 'corrupt' politicians who have 'lost our trust because they pick our pockets.'’ -- Sunday Herald
‘His latest book is scathing about those who become MPs without having done much else in their lives other than politics. He judges – as I do – that much of the recent debacle would have been avoided, if so many of those who made it to Westminster had a career pattern other than school, university, researcher, aide to MP and adoption as Parliamentary candidate.’ -- Tribune
‘Bell is right when he emphasizes that the real problem with the expenses scandal is not the money: it’s the fact that MPs make up their own rules, and effectively end up writing their own cheques.’ -- London Review of Books
‘The journalist turned accidental MP has an insight not available to reporters.’ -- Eastern Daily Press
‘I am especially interested to read Martin’s new book...And I am recommending that everyone buys his book.’ -- Douglas Carswell, MP for Harwich and Clacton
‘Adversity, Bell reminds us, can actually be quite useful.’ -- Tribune
‘Bell doesn’t mince his words condemning the 'corrupt' politicians who have 'lost our trust because they pick our pockets.'’ -- Sunday Herald
‘His latest book is scathing about those who become MPs without having done much else in their lives other than politics. He judges – as I do – that much of the recent debacle would have been avoided, if so many of those who made it to Westminster had a career pattern other than school, university, researcher, aide to MP and adoption as Parliamentary candidate.’ -- Tribune
‘Bell is right when he emphasizes that the real problem with the expenses scandal is not the money: it’s the fact that MPs make up their own rules, and effectively end up writing their own cheques.’ -- London Review of Books
About the Author
Martin Bell OBE is one of the best-known and most highly regarded names in British television journalism. As a BBC reporter he has covered foreign assignments in more than 80 countries and eleven wars including Vietnam, Nigeria, Angola, Nicaragua, The Gulf and Bosnia, where millions watched as he was nearly killed by shrapnel. In 1997 Martin became the first Independent MP to be elected to Parliament since 1950, and he has since campaigned tirelessly for trust and transparency in British politics.
Product details
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1848311281
- ISBN-13 : 978-1848311282
- Customer reviews:
Customer reviews
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Francis Clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 February 2010Verified Purchase
This is 100% better and more interesting than the book published by The Daily Telegraph. Their book focussed more on the inner workings of their newspaper and became totally boring half way through. Martin Bell's book was an easy read from cover to cover and dealt with this scandal effectively.
5 people found this helpful
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Dennis McHale
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Scandal Indeed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2017Verified Purchase
This is a very good book that well rewards a reading. It gives details of the Parliamentary expenses scandal and shows the extent to which some of our politicians shamelessly helped themselves to public funds to either lavishly furnish their houses or to purchase further properties. In my opinion Martin Bell performed a great public service in writing this book.
Service was good from this supplier and I would use them again.
Service was good from this supplier and I would use them again.
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