The Contrast between Cameron and Brown

–         Cameron seeks to bring his MPs into line, whilst Brown apologizes on behalf of all MPs

–         Cameron threatens action on those who have clearly broken the rules, whilst Brown is more for paying back the money owed.

That means, under Cameron, action is threatened, whilst under Brown the issue will be swept under the carpet. Could this be, if there is a consistent line between the parties, that the cabinet will suffer more than the shadow cabinet.

Might I suggest that Dave Cameron draws an unambiguous line and sidelines the worst offenders. This would leave the Labour party either with a many more sackings, or looking weak on unethical behaviour. The danger is the the Lib-dems would benefit at the expense of both. However, electorally, this may not matter too much, as the Lib-dems tend to lose seats in a swing to the Conservatives.

Please see below for the quotes on which this is based.

From David Cameron for the Conservatives then said (according to the Telegraph’s Benedict Brogan)

For MPs “stand up and explain why they claimed what they claimed”.    

“If there’s a case of someone who clearly did break the rules and that was totally unjustifiable then there may be a case for action.”

Further (quoted by the Guardian)

1. “It is the responsibility of those we elect to behave properly. Not just legally, not just within the rules, but to the highest ethical standards. People who stand for public office put themselves forward as people who will rule over the rest of us.”    

From Nick Clegg for the Liberal Democrats also apologized for his MPs.

From Gordon Brown (according to the BBC)

          “I want to apologise on behalf of politicians, on behalf of all parties, for what has happened in the events of the last few days.”

   Further (in a speech to the Royal College of Nursing conference in Harrogate)

“Just as you have the highest standards in your profession, we must show that we have the highest standards for our profession.

“And we must show that, where mistakes have been made and errors have been discovered, where wrongs have to be righted, that that is done so immediately.

“We have also to try hard to show people and think hard about how a profession that, like yours, depends on trust – the most precious asset it has is trust – how that profession too can show that it is genuinely there to serve the public in all its future needs.”

The Contrast between Cameron and Brown

–         Cameron seeks to bring his MPs into line, whilst Brown apologizes on behalf of all MPs

–         Cameron threatens action on those who have clearly broken the rules, whilst Brown is more for paying back the money owed.

That means, under Cameron, action is threatened, whilst under Brown the issue will be swept under the carpet. Could this be, if there is a consistent line between the parties, that the cabinet will suffer more than the shadow cabinet.

Might I suggest that Dave Cameron draws an unambiguous line and sidelines the worst offenders? This would leave the Labour party either with many more sackings, or looking weak on unethical behaviour. Either way, it would strengthen Cameron’s hand as the more decisive party leader. The danger is the the Lib-dems would benefit at the expense of both. However, electorally, this may not matter too much, as the Lib-dems tend to lose seats in a swing to the Conservatives.

Please see below for the quotes on which this is based.