It is understandable and even expected that although the expenses scandal is about 18 month old now, it is still a very sensitive and touchy subject for many and it should be, we should also anticipate it to continue to be so for sometime to come. It’s also, understandable that at the start, like with most new things, there is a period of adjustment for all involved before they can find a common and comfortable ground to stand on. From reports, blogs and interviews it’s very evident that there are a few things that need sorting with both the unit and its relationship with MPs before the two are in total harmony.

But what I find strange is the lack of empathy and stubbornness from both sides. IPSA – I expected it to take it upon itself to behave as a guider and a teacher with the same patience and understanding a good director shows and gives to those they manage. As for MPs – I assumed they wanted this bad taste to just go away and disappear as fast as humanly possible and to prove with out an inkling of a doubt that they are one with the public. From what’s been coming out it seems neither have a clue what middle Britain wants or expects from them!

IPSA’s attitude towards MPs I blame squarely on the media, mainly the Telegraph for turning what should have stayed as a great journalistic exposé and public service into a media circus, a deliberate and calculated demoralising exercise – that was very wrong and equally stupid.

As for MPs attitude I blame the system. In Arabic we have a saying (hopefully it doesn’t get too lost in translation) – “unguarded monies teaches thieving” – which is why the system and the methods of claiming had to be changed – yes some members were blatantly thieving, but we could count them on our figures – which means the others, the majority were victims of a bad system badly managed. And although the continued witch-hunt doesn’t help, members who come across as spoiled brats who think they are entitled to the tax payers’ monies don’t help matters either.

The two bodies have a responsibility to continue honouring our legislative system and treat it with the respect it rightly deserves. Bickering like playground kids constantly and openly will not restore the publics’ faith on this great and honourable institution, it will only degrade it, dishonour them, the country, and our political system.

It’s high time we all put this great country of ours first in every act, move and step we take!

Total Politics interview Here & The Daily Mail piece Here

So what if some Tory MPs are unhappy with the proposed High Speed Rail because it cuts through and disturb some of their lovely suburbia/rural life – or the stress is getting to Vince Cable – he has always been a reluctant participant of this coalition anyway. Times are hard and these are all tests and frankly normal reactions to change.

By all accounts the coalition is doing well and generally on course. Yes the tuition fees has caused some damage (more in the physical sense than ideologically) and yes the unions are bent on causing havoc come what may, and I suspect they’ll earn their keep in the months to come by causing even more of it and strike as much as humanly possible over any and everything. But sooner or later the public will get tired of both.

There is no question that our economy is struggling and if not managed properly and effectively our future will be bleak, the economy will sink and take the country down with it. The attitude of fake prosperity (throw money at the problem and it’ll go away) a popular response of the last administration, doesn’t work – it doesn’t solve the problem and only eases it temporarily!

Secondly, none of the three main parties won the election out right. Which means the public does not want Labour to govern but also wants the Tories and the LibDems to cooperate and work together. This is the same public that is enduring the unavoidable cuts, and learning ‘fast’ how to do without and cope with less. The same public who’s lives are daily disrupted by the unions, demonstrations, strikes and industrial action. And, the same public who watches a few rural folks saying ‘not on my back yard’ to something that has the potential to increase connectivity, productivity and cooperation between North and South, and put right a legacy of years of neglect from previous administrations, not to mention bridging the gap between North and South once and for all and of-course its huge environmental advantages!

As for Cable, he has been sitting uncomfortably on the fence for the best part of a year, if now he chooses to be true to himself and step aside from a union he does not fully belief in, although personally in his case I think he is great for balance, then maybe he should go. The sooner people in his situation step aside the stronger the coalition will become – there is nothing worst than having a reluctant partner who is not fully committed to a cause. Cable is a brilliant mind and is respected by members from both sides of the house, but if he is uncomfortable then he should be allowed to leave because he will only slow down progress.

Times are hard, two different ideologies working together (each with their own set of cry babies) can not be smooth sailing and no one expects it to be trouble and challenge free. But if we, leave optimism aside, and look at the bigger picture with realism and an open mind – then will see, although currently things might not seem fantastic they aren’t all that bad either – unless we expect prefect.

Change is one of the biggest, toughest and under estimated notions. It sounds good and most politicians throw it about during campaigns because although defining it is rarely expected, when needed it can be as vague and as fluid as anyone wants it to become. Most (elected representatives) rarely have to fulfil serious change – that’s why when it actually happens (as currently in the coalition) many people don’t know how to handle it, but if we look at change closely – it does exactly what it says in the tin – it changes both things and people too, which many find hard to grasp and impossible to implement.