A change of address

So – in an effort to save taxpayers’ money – David Miliband is to permanently vacate his lavish official residence.  Over at Three Line Whip, Con Coughlin is disappointed by the move, thinking it will undermine the stature of the Foreign Secretary – “Foreign visitors expect to be received in some style when they come to London”. David Hughes counters by pointing-out that “there’s hardly a dearth of venues for official receptions and dinners”.

I’m with Hughes. Foreign visitors may have their expectations, but British taxpayers expect something too – namely, that their cash isn’t used to fund the gravy-train. And – whilst there’s a slight whiff of opportunism about Miliband’s decision – it’s still good to see a high-ranking MP eschew some of the “trappings of power”. 

Michael Martin should take note.