As UK political party leaders vie with each other in the wake of the expenses scandal to crack down on the cushy life that MPs are perceived to enjoy, Tom Harris MP learns that David Cameron’s widely-trailed plans to cut ministerial pay and eliminate subsidised food in Parliament are just the thin end of the wedge:
Cameron: “I f**king hate politicians”
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
POLITICIANS will rue the day they were born if the Conservatives get their way, David Cameron promised yesterday.
Announcing a series of reforms to be implemented by a future Tory government, Mr Cameron said that MPs were “the lowest form of life known to man” and “utter scum”.
The Tory leader said that his government would not only cut the number of MPs by “at least” 100 per cent, but would also make sure their salaries were cut radically, forcing them “to depend on their trust funds like ordinary people”. He also promised to raise the cost of food and drink in the Palace of Westminster and suggested that staff might want to spit in MPs’ tea, “just to remind them who’s boss”.
“I’m so glad I never went into politics,” Mr Cameron told a room packed full of journalists and a scary-looking bloke in an anorak and clutching a thermos flask who said he was from the Tax-Payers’ Alliance.
Asked what qualities he hated most in politicians, Mr Cameron replied: “Cynicism and populism.”
