The expenses scandal seems to have brought an excess of radical hyperbole from the most unlikely and conservative of quarters. Should those of us of a rebellious disposition be cheering? I'm afraid not. I fear that both politics and democracy will be the losers in this sorry tale.To start with, instead of holding politicians to account for their policies, we are left studying their accounts. Take the fate of [communities secretary] Hazel Blears, which may be resolved by time you read this. I am no fan of hers, but would rather she be judged on her record as an unabashed supporter of the Government's most reactionary policies than her tax shenanigans.Lest we forget, Ms Blears' policies have included ASBOs, cheerfully demonising and punishing 'nuisance neighbours', 'chaotic families', and binge drinkers, and an unbroken record in voting for the Iraq war, identity cards and detaining terror suspects without charge for 42 days.
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