21-03-2010, 07:33 AM
David Guyatt Wrote:I favour the idea greatly.
By a strange coincidence I have a whole stack of pre-stuffed brown envelopes (now sadly empty) that I borrowed from my old bank when I left. So I'm ready to go.
I can also make speeches in the desired fashion, which must be a plus to my candidacy. There are not many things I can remember at my age, but my sort code, account number, and procedure for depositing large bundles of low denomination banknotes remain as sharp as ever.
May I call you "Stephen"?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/...over-sting
MPs targeted in undercover sting over cash for influence
Former ministers said to have been caught on camera by journalists
Anushka Asthana and Toby Helm
The Observer, Sunday 21 March 2010
Quote:A group of MPs, including former ministers, have been targeted in an elaborate sting operation in which journalists set up a bogus lobbying company and offered to pay them in return for political influence.
Among the politicians approached was Stephen Byers, the former cabinet minister and arch-Blairite, who was filmed describing himself as a "bit like a sort of cab for hire". He offered to trade Westminster contacts for £3,000 to £5,000 a day…
Byers told her he had saved hundreds of millions of pounds for National Express through his contact with Lord Adonis, the transport minister, and had influenced food labelling proposals for Tesco after phoning Lord Mandelson, the business secretary. The MP said that his friendship with Mandelson was one of his "trump cards".
Pure class. Now, can we find enough candidates of similar probity to give them a run for their bungs? It's a tall order, and a fierce battle lies ahead. Nevertheless, I have every confidence the BEP (Belize Educational Project) is up to the job, the first of which will probably involve a bank. Taxi!