Thoughts on Britain’s Expenses Scandal

I haven’t really posted anything about the ongoing Parliamentary Expenses Scandal in Britain. While I have a great interest in British Politics and have been watching the story with great interest as it has played out – I generally avoid talking about British Politics on Anglotopia.

One reason really, I’m not British and it’s not really my place or fair for me to comment on, criticize or express my opinion on the matter when there are Brits out there who may take issue with that.

Sure, I have my opinions on British politics as I’m sure Brits have opinions on American politics as well. But, until one day in the future when I hold a scarlet passport – it’s not really my place to criticize a system, that even I don’t understand fully yet.

Besides I don’t really want to say that I’ve been entertained by the scandal – because Brits are genuinely, angrily upset about the whole scandal and I don’t want to act like I get enjoyment out of their political system being flogged on the world stage.

That being said, The New York Times had a very well balanced, outsider’s view of the whole scandal this week that I thought I’d share.

It gives a rundown of the scandal, it’s effects and how it may end up changing British Politics forever.

From the article:

There have been no angry mobs storming the House of Commons, nor much of anything in the way of organized protest. But the mood of anger is palpable in every pub and on every bus and train. It concerns far more than the latest scandal, touching grievances that have been building gradually for at least 30 years — perhaps for nearly a century — about the growth of a self-serving political class, arrogant habits of rule and an inward-looking cadre of senior civil servants, for all of which the most appropriate adjective seems to be “high-handed.”

Now the popular resentment has reached proportions that are drawing comparisons to the situation 180 years ago, when the Great Reform Act of 1832 was speeded through Parliament by riots in several cities. That act laid the basis for modern democracy in Britain by widening the males-only franchise and shifting power to the country’s cities from the “rotten boroughs” controlled by rural grandees.

Some of the Parliament members caught up in the current turmoil, and as many who have not been, argued in its early stages that the expenses scandal was no more than a storm in a teacup — involving at most £30 million to £50 million in dodgy claims over the past five years. A mere bagatelle, as these proponents would have it, at a time of government-financed bank bailouts that have cost British taxpayers tens of billions.

Overall, it’s a very interesting read and it’s a good commentary on British politics and where they’re heading.

Check it out here.

If you’re at all interested in my opinion – I think it’s time for Gordon to go and for a good number of MP’s (from both parties) to go with him. Though, I think they should wait until public anger has cooled a little bit before calling a game changing general election.

US President Visits London – Videos from the Day

President Obama’s visit to the UK seems to be going decently. The riots turned out to be rather tame (by British Standard – look up Poll Tax Riots) and the G20 meetings seemed to go well. Though, I’ll try to keep out of the politics of the day. Gordon Brown and The Queen showed Obama how to properly welcome a head of state, which makes me proud to be an Anglophile.

Obama was sure to give a better gift this time around. He gave the Queen an video iPod loaded with footage of her trip the US in 2007 and an Richard Rogers autographed songbook. At least he didn’t give her region coded DVD’s!

I’d like to welcome all the new readers who found us via the Telegraph. Thanks go out to Toby Harnden for linking to us from his blog! Thanks so much!

If you’re new to Anglotopia, be sure to check out our featured posts on the frontpage as well as our most popular posts in the right sidebar. I hope you enjoy the site as much as I enjoy working on it!

Now, for some videos from today.

This video is hilarious. Obama’s Limo driver masters the 20 point turn trying to turn around the limo in narrow Downing Street.

Parking ‘The Beast’ at Downing Street

You’ll need to click through to watch the video, as the BBC as disabled embedding on the funny video.

The most exciting video from the G20 protests in London concerns some protestors who smashed the windows at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s headquarters. They were clearly being egged on by the media. There were more cameras than people!

White House Gift Gate Continues

I’ve vented my frustration over the last few weeks over Gordon Brown’s treatment at the hands of the Obama administration. And now there’s salt to rub into the wound.

So, we gave Gordon a DVD set of classic Hollywood movies. Well, it turns out he sat down to watch one the other day and guess what?

The DVD’s were for Region 1 coded. Meaning they could not be played outside of North America.

(Massive Diplomatic Facepalm).

I’m so sorry Prime Minister. So sorry.

Check out the Article in the Telegraph Today.

Jeremy Clarkson Thinks the ‘Special Relationship’ Should be Thrown in the Skip

And I’m inclined to agree with him. Many of you may recall my rant last week about the grave mistreatment of Gordon Brown at the hands of the Obama administration (read it here). Well, now Car God Jeremy Clarkson has chimed in with his two pence.

Not only does he view it as an insult, he think it’s time to cut off America and it’s ingratitude and end the ‘special relationship‘ that America and Britain supposedly have.

From the article:

However, if you look at Gordon Brown’s recent trip to Washington, Johnny Frenchman would appear to have a point. Gordon gave Obama Barrack a penholder carved from the timbers of an antislavery ship. The sister ship, in fact, of the one that was broken up and turned into the desk in the Oval Office.

Barrack, meanwhile, gave Brown The Graduate on DVD. Which smacks of an “Oh, Christ. What shall we get him?” moment at the local petrol station.

Then we have the issue with crime. The British authorities have to present a robust prima-facie case to the American courts before we can extradite someone to the UK. Whereas an American cop can drag you across the Atlantic if he even so much as thinks your beard is a bit dodgy.

Read the read of Jeremy Clarkson’s Column here.

Watch Gordon Brown’s Address to Congress Plus a View on the Recent Visit

It simply slipped my mind to post this. There were big events for Anglophiles this week and I didn’t think to post the video of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressing the US Congress. This is only the fifth time a sitting British Prime Minister has addressed a join session of Congress.

See below for some of my gripes about the recent visit, if you’re interested.

Gordon Brown Address Joint Session of Congress:

I’m pretty happy with the reception he got in Congress. However, I was appalled at Gordon Brown’s treatment by the Obama administration.

Let me first say that I’m an Obama supporter, so this is not misplaced conservative angst. I was rooting for Obama long before was running for President and my wife even worked on the campaign.

I understand that Obama is busy trying to fix the country and all, but it’s insulting to Gordon Brown and the British people that he was simply crammed into Obama’s schedule and not even accorded a joint press conference or dinner.

According to the Londonist, many of the British newspapers have picked up on the ‘Obama Snub.” On top of the poor political treatment he got, the traditional gift exchange was lopsided. Gordon Brown gave Obama a pen holder carved from the hull on an old ship. What did we give him? A DVD set of old movies.

I should also make it very clear that Barack Obama is NOT an Anglophile and has said as much. From what I understand, he doesn’t have much of an affinity for Britain at all because of the way Britain treated Kenya during the colonial period (and treated his father during those years). There are also lingering issues in Kenya that can be traced back to the colonial days and affect his relatives to this day. So, it doesn’t surprise me that Obama snubbed him. Post-colonialism is playing out right on TV with the world’s most powerful leaders.

It’s a shame. When Obama visits London later this month, I hope the Brits go above and beyond and show him how it’s done. If anyone can do pomp and circumstance, it’s the Brits!

Gordon Brown should make his way to Chicago sometime, we’ll give him a right a proper welcome!

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