The Impact of Sir Thomas Legg

This week it was revealed that Sir Thomas Legg has written to most MPs stating that they may have to justify their past expenses. It appears that some MPs believe that Legg has overstepped his remit, and this seems to be building up pressure on the party leaders.

MPs are obviously having to respond to this issue when dealing with constituents. One typical reponse came my way from Tom Levitt, who stated in his recent e-newsletter:

"Like every other MP, I have received a letter from Sir Thomas Legg as part of his investigation into MPs’ expenses. The letter invites discussion on certain issues, it is not a bill to be paid as some parts of the press would have us believe. He will be replying to this private correspondence in due course."

Apart from the use of both "I" and "he", implying that the e-newsletter is written (not unreasonably) by the MPs staff (and I did not think that every MP had received a letter), I found this very interesting. It did suggest that the factual situation may not be exactly as reported in the press. Moreover, Levitt is demonstrating to constituents that he is not shying away from the issue. I view his statement as an initial holding statement, which later will be addresed in more depth (logically when Sir Thomas Legg publicises his report). However, if Levitt or any other MPs hope is that such statements will lance the boil, and are all they need to say, I suspect they are mistaken. This whole issue of MPs expenses has shaken the body politic, and to repair soem fo the damage individual MPs need to communciate more regularly than ever before with consitituents on matters that are of interest to constituents.

With Legg's report hanging over the election campaign, I do wonder whether things are now going too far. Do citizens now want closure? Is raking up older expenses going to serve any positive purpose? I don't know, MPs have sometimes been their own worse enemy, but there does have to be a point where you draw a point in the sand, and get on with the future.