Southport Lib Dems Call for Anti-Corruption Programme Following Mandelson Scandal

Posted on:
lib

The current Mandelson scandal has highlighted the need to tackle the root of the problem after a string of failures of the British political system according to Southport Lib Dems.

This is the latest in a long line of scandals, from the Profumo scandal of the 60’s to the sleaze of the 80’s, the MPs expenses scandal and the corruption revealed in contracts given during the pandemic. 

Lib Dem Councillor for Birkdale, Iain Brodie Browne,commented: “The Mandelson scandal is the latest in a long list of failures of the British political establishment. This time the victims have been young women whose wealthy abusers have been protected. It is time for a thorough anti-corruption programme to prevent more outrages in the future.

“Currently it’s Keir Starmer who is in hot water, but the issue is much deeper and we can’t afford for this to become another political soap opera. Former PM Gordon Brown has made some good suggestions about how we bring more transparency to our politics but I think there are several measures we need to introduce that will really help tidy up our politics. They are:

·Banning political donations above £5k – big money donations have a corrupting influence on political parties and individuals and companies who make big donations expect some return.

·No second jobs for MPs except in exceptional circumstances

·Clear out the House of Lords. It either needs reform or to be elected

·Introduce a statutory offence of corruption

·Public service contracts delivered by private companies need to be subject to far greater transparency

·Introducing Proportional Representation so that never again can a party that only win 3 in 10 votes form a government with a overwhelming majority.

“It’s also really important that there are proper and robust vetting processes for anybody getting big jobs from Government. Before the first World War anyone getting a cabinet seat had to resign from the House of Commons and fight a by-election. In order countries there are public hearing to challenge the candidates. It is about time Britain learnt from the best practice in other countries.