Let's not forget who tried to block the Freedom of Information Act (Somerset Liberal Democrat Group)

Somerset Liberal Democrat Group <info@somersetlibdems.org.uk>

Let's not forget who tried to block the Freedom of Information Act

May 13, 2009 4:26 PM
By Christopher Inge - prospective county councillor for Mendip West in The Times

Sir,

There is gentle bias and there is unconditional support. David Cameron did not play a blinder yesterday; he simply said "mea culpa" in the face of some undeniable own goals.

He apologised - but then he had more than most to apologise for. The excesses of his grandees aside, let it not be forgotten that his party, in the shape of David Maclean, tried to exempt all MPs and the Lords from the terms of the Freedom of Information Act - or that Nick Clegg has gone further than any other party leader by requiring the return of any profits made by his members on second homes.

In my constituency, Wells, we are still reeling from yesterday's revelations about our MP, and as a candidate in the forthcoming council elections I am appalled by its effects on the doorstep. My snout is not in the trough. I am not on the take. If I succeed in becoming a councillor I will earn less in a year than several of Cameron's cronies are being asked to repay in expenses.

Given his characterisation of their excesses as "unethical and wrong", the proper response is resignation, not apology.

Christopher Inge

Westmead, Bleadney, Wells, Somerset