Question: how can you tell that David Cameron has taken the lead on expenses? Answer: all the other party leaders are now copying him. In response to the Lib Dem revelations today, Nick Clegg has asked his MPs to repay their dubious claims. While Gordon Brown has done another lap of the media circuit; putting on his “serious person for serious times” face as he calls for “independent scrutiny” of all expenses. So the race is now on to go further, faster, harder. But Cameron certainly gave himself a head start yesterday.
As the race continues, it’s interesting to watch the growing movement to oust Michael Martin. The latest is that ministers are urging Brown to give the Speaker the push he needs. This from today’s Times:
“Some ministers said privately that Mr Brown must meet David Cameron and Nick Clegg as soon as possible to decide how to oust Mr Martin.
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