It was hard not to feel a touch sorry for Jacqui Smith on Question Time last night as she saw her safety-net of a potential seat in the House of Lords flash before her eyes. She couldn't afford to put a single word out of place as David Dimbleby pursued the inexorable logic.
"Do you think MPs disgraced by the expenses scandal should be rewarded with a seat in the House of Lords?"
"No, I don't."
"Do you think you have been disgraced by the expenses scandal?"
"Yes, I think to some extent I have been."
"So you think you shouldn't be rewarded with a seat in the House of Lords?"
"David, this isn't about individuals..."
Yes, I think we can safely assume that in six months' time, having been sent packing by the voters of Redditch, Baroness Smith will be reminding us - "well, I did only say 'to an extent'".
I'm already practising my curtsey and the correct form of address... Your Baronessness?
ReplyDeleteOh, and Jacqui, it is about individuals. Parliament didn't collectively live at your sister's house in the cupboard under the stairs and tehn say it was their main residence. You did. Parliament didn't claim for porn. You did. Get over yourself.