Cash for amendments threatens to sink Parliament’s reputation further

One of last year’s most memorable political quotes came courtesy of Frank Field, always one of the Good Men of Parliament.  In the aftermath of the Derek Conway affair, he lamented “…it is difficult to think how much lower our collective reputation might sink among voters generally.”  It sounded true enough at the time.

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Under a year later, though, that reputation has sunk to lower depths.  In one way or another, the squabble over the publication of expenses, the Damian Green arrest, and fresh donations scandals have all undermined Parliament’s standing – and rightly so.  And now there could be a new villainy to add to the list.  The Sunday Times alleges today that Labour peers are “prepared” to accept cash from “business clients” in exchange for amending laws.  The four peers they name are: Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn, Lord Moonie and Lord Snape.