Britain to curb lawmakers’ perks after scandal

LONDON – Leaders of Britain’s main political parties backed plans yesterday to curb perks for lawmakers after a scandal over lavish expense claims shocked taxpayers and undermined public trust in parliament.

Under the proposals, an independent regulator would set pay and pension levels rather than allowing members of parliament (MPs) effectively to regulate themselves.Following a series of high-profile abuses, MPs would be barred from employing their own relatives at the taxpayers’ expense and claiming back mortgage costs on second homes.The shake-up is designed to assuage public anger after disclosures that MPs in recession-hit Britain clawed back the cost of everything from pet food to cleaning out a moat.A general election is due by next June and the three main parties fear that disgruntled voters will switch to fringe parties or back independent candidates in protest at the antics of MPs.The opposition Conservatives are forecast to defeat ruling Labour in the election and return to power for the first time since 1997. However, the expenses scandal has added an additional element of uncertainty to the outcome.At least 100 MPs from the 646-seat parliament are expected to step down at the next election following bad publicity about their expenses.SALARY ENVYAn independent committee led by former civil servant Christopher Kelly also recommended that MPs be barred from claiming expenses for cleaning, gardening and home furnishings.’Revelations about the expenses system have caused considerable damage,’ Kelly said, urging MPs not to try to dilute his proposals.’I do not believe that trust in those who govern us will be restored unless those in authority show leadership and determination in putting abuses of the past behind them, however uncomfortable that may be for some.’Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he accepted the report and expected a new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to implement it.’We need a new system to re-establish trust. IPSA will set to work immediately and we expect they will proceed swiftly to put these changes into effect,’ Brown said in a letter to Kelly.Opposition Conservative leader David Cameron also backed the proposals as did Nick Clegg, head of the Liberal Democrats.MPs earn about 65,000 pounds ($107,100) a year – more than double the average British salary but well below the earnings of professionals like lawyers and doctors.They hooted with derision when parliament speaker John Bercow said the first head of the regulator would be paid as much as 100,000 pounds per year.Ian Kennedy, a lawyer specialised in health and medical ethics issues, has been selected for the post. – Nampa-Reuters