A very British revolution : the expenses scandal and how to save our democracy by Bell, Martin, 1938- instant download

A very British revolution : the expenses scandal and how to save our democracy by Bell, Martin, 1938- instant download

1 online resource (246 pages), 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 Butterfil's flipping of his constituency home, a now-notorious manoeuvre that requir, Print version record, Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-238), Swindlers' List; Introduction; Chapter 1 Bath Plugs, Moats and Duck Islands; Chapter 2 Accidents Waiting to Happen; Chapter 3 The Backlash; Chapter 4 Off with their Heads!; Chapter 5 Black Thursday; Chapter 6 The Honourable Scapegoat; Chapter 7 Mr Speaker; Chapter 8 The Independent Deterrent; Chapter 9 A Personal Decision; Chapter 10 The Political Class; Chapter 11 Downfall; Chapter 12 Soldiers, Bankers and Swindlers; Chapter 13 Afghanistan -- A Study in Contrasts; Chapter 14 An Act of Sabotage; Chapter 15 A Democratic Blueprint