A MERE four years into the 21st century and our MPs are realising they are accountable to the taxpayer.
Today the allowances claimed by our Parliamentary representatives are finally laid bare. An itemised bill for the near £80 million they spend on living, travelling, staffing and running an office was being published on a website.
It has been hailed as a new open era, and few could argue with that. But MPs should not feel too smug. This is far from a gracious act of candour on their part.
The information should have been in the public domain years ago. What MPs spend their salaries on is their affair, but we have every right to know the administrative costs of their public office.
Councils have been making this information available for some time. Every year a list of councillors' allowances is published, along with their attendance level at meetings. The books are available for public scrutiny.
It seems Whitehall is at last catching up with the Guildhall.
There can be no doubt why Parliament has decided to open up now. Journalists and others could have demanded information on MPs' allowances from January, under the Freedom Of Information Act. By going public, they avoid accusations that they have something to hide.
Ministers are always seeking "best value". Today's information will spark a debate on who are our "best value" MPs. And about time too.
Updated: 09:20 Thursday, October 21, 2004
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