There’s a big side benefit to the Legg audit of MP’s Additional Cost Allowances.
It’s this, maybe now MP’s will realise the iniquity of passing retrospective legislation. As the case of the interview, on Newsnight on Tuesday evening, between David Grossman and Labour MP Bill Etherington, wonderfully shows:
Etherington: “We were told we were going to be judged on what the claim was under the regulations at the time. Now, Sir Thomas Legg has decided to change that retrospectively. Retrospective legislation has a very poor record and has caused us a lot of trouble. That denudes the whole process of its legitimacy.
Grossman: “You yourself have signed Commons EDMs calling for retrospective taxes on City bonuses..”
Etherington: “I don’t think I have actually. Can you be sure of this?
Grossman: “Yes, we checked before we came out..”
Etherington: “Retrospective taxes?”
Grossman: “On City bonuses and on Centrica profits and on energy company profits..”
Etherington: “Yes, but that was me putting pressure on the Government. You know what Early Day Motions are about. None of them are ever acted upon. They are declarations of intent.”
I profoundly dislike retrospective legislation, among other things, I believe it offends the British sense of fair play. Windfall taxes, whether on business or the individual are unfair. Stop.
The European Convention on Human Rights (incorporated into English law by the Human Rights Act 1998) and similar international conventions forbid retrospective laws, as do the written constitutions and Bills of Rights of many countries.
By: Mog on October 31, 2009
at 3:11 pm