If Gordon wins next time, the Derek Conway case will be one of the reasons

Wednesday, 30th January 2008

Fraser Nelson reviews the week in politics

Years from now, when the downfall of Peter Hain has been reduced to a Trivial Pursuit question standing between players and a yellow wedge, the name of Derek Conway will still be remembered. The Electoral Commission’s declaration rulebook may not interest the public — but it is abundantly clear what Mr Conway was up to. Putting one’s family on the state payroll is a trick as old any British tradition. Like the Speaker’s tights, it is an ancient practice still quietly continued in Westminster.

Some of it is even justifiable. When I first started working in Westminster I met a parliamentary wife who told me the best way of stopping one’s husband from having an affair with his secretary is to become his secretary. Tireless constituency work is expected from spouses, Tory wives in particular. But Mr Conway’s decision to pay his son £40,000 for ‘research’ while he was at Newcastle University, and the MP’s inability to provide any plausible evidence of such research, goes beyond mere nepotism.

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Madasafish

January 31st, 2008 4:19pm Report this comment

There is an easy way out of the Conway case. All it needs is Mr Cameron to say: "in the light of Conway.. and because we need reform and because the Gov't will not do it all Conservative MPs will obey rules on expenses etc and be open to all FOI enquiries. That spikes 100% the Comway?Conservative sleaze story, stuffs Brown and iniatiates a long needed reform C Party members would welcome with open arms. I doubt few Conservative MPs can object - in public! And what a great example..

Austin Lane

February 7th, 2008 1:55pm Report this comment

"Like the Speaker’s tights, it is an ancient practice still quietly continued in Westminster." I suspect that when the last male Speaker wore tights, Fraser was still in short trousers. Or does he know something about Michael Martin's undergarments that we don't? Serious point: check all your facts, laddie, or you risk not being taken entirely seriously.

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