I predicted last week (17th January) that Gordon Brown’s vote of confidence in Peter Hain did not bode well for Hain’s prospects of keeping his job. He has now quit the cabinet to clear his name.
Filed under: gordon brown, parliament | Tagged: deputy prime minister, gifts, minister of pensions, Peter Hain, political donations, South Africa
Ambercat
I don’t think that’s an analogy that works, although I take the point that everyone seems to think that saying sorry is enough.
I don’t see how mere “incompetence” stops Hain from declaring half of his donations. That is somewhat beyond incompetence isn’t it.? More like the taxpayer forgetting to declare half his income on his tax return, or a benefit claimant forgetting tell about his part time job.
Really, how many deputy leadership campaigns has Hain fought? He had the time to raise £200k and fight the campaign but not the time to make an accurate return to the authorities?
If a burglar gets caught breaking and entering does he get let off simply because he was incompetent? “I am sorry your honour, but my friend who was in charge of disabling the burglar alarm did not notice that extra circuit”. Should you reasonably expect such an excuse to stand up in court? If you think not then you will probably agree that our politicians should not get away with similar excuses.
Read my full thoughts and see funny picture caption at Ambercat Blog