So we’ve already – only two weeks in – had our first ministerial resignation. David Laws’ swift resignation was in stark and welcome contrast to the last 13 years of ‘I followed the rules, I have nothing to apologise for and I hold you in contempt anyway’.
A few thoughts before I come to my main point: the Telegraph’s prurient and holier than thou statement that it did not wish to out Mr Laws, merely to highlight his expenses, is ridiculous. What was the problem with renting a bedroom in a flat from someone unless there was also some kind of personal relationship?
Secondly, I do not and never have cared who MPs sleep with. It does not matter. I want them to have fulfilling lives – partly because they will work better if they are happy. It is absolutely none of our business if they are straight, gay or nothing. But it is hugely sad that even today, someone feels they cannot tell the truth about who they are – and the way the media behaves over stories like this makes it even less likely that other MPs, public figures and – yes – just normal citizens will feel able to live the kind of life they want to.
Thirdly, David Laws was proving to be an excellent Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
However.
I think he has done the right thing in resigning. I think he had to. There do, on the face of it, seem to be some questions to be answered over his claims (whether or not he was claiming less than he was ‘entitled’ to is immaterial).
But in all desperate situations, there are opportunities. I wonder if this might be the time to test the recall option? While the option to resign and cause a by-election does currently exist, we should also ensure that the recall bill which will go through the Commons includes a mechanism for either an MP or (with safeguards) a party leader to force a by-election.
So go on, David Laws. Call a by-election.
If is re-elected by his constituents (to whom he is ultimately accountable) then by all means we should get him back into the government just as fast as we can.
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In the cold light of day, I think you are right. My attitude yesterday was that David Laws was too important to the coalition, and to reducing the deficit, that Cameron should have refused his resignation. But he did do wrong, even though his decisions were motivated by hiding his life rather than a greedy sense of entitlement, thus Laws should go through the process. Hopefully he will be redeemed and soon be back as Chief Secretary.
Ps, This article by Andrew Sullivan looks at the wider question of morality and public life.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/05/why-the-closet-must-end-in-public-life.html
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