RESISTANCE IS FUTILE |

Tuesday 13th October 2009 | 14:34

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

They may not like it, but there is widespread consensus across the Westminster village that a rebellion against Legg's recommendations would now be futile

There is an argument that the lack of any concerted cross-party challenge to the 'expenses scandal' from the start made it worse; that terror at the much-vaunted Public Anger led to a collective failure of leadership, and that had the parties come together early and fought back against the terms of the story, things could have been different.

About 1/3 of the PoliticsHome Phi100 panel - made up of MPs, peers, senior journalists and insiders from all the main parties - support this view. A majority from each party affiliation however does not believe there was anything they could have done to minimise the damage:

"It would just have emphasised the disconnect between MPs and the public", said a left-wing strategist, whilst a right-aligned counterpart agreed, saying "It would have made it all far worse".

One non-aligned political journalist, however, believes the damage could have been lessened with a fightback. "This is a tale of moral cowardice by MPs and Party leaders right from the start", he said.

As one Lib Dem parliamentarian put it: "the competitive hairshirtism hurt us all."

Time for a fightback now?

With the PLP planning to meet with the Tory 1922 committee, there is rumour of a cross-party fightback brewing at this stage, against perceived unfairness in Sir Thomas Legg's recommendations. The advice of the Phi100 panel? If your reputations are what you are worried about, don't do it!

80% of respondents think such a move would further decrease their public standing, with just 7% believing it would have a positive effect. Only one Parliamentarian believed a fightback would be the right strategy.

"Worse? Disastrous!" said a political editor, whilst a right-wing strategist said, "The Court of public opinion has judged the matter, there is no appeal. Resistance is futile".

A Conservative MP added: "It depends what's meant by a "fightback". A reasonable course of action would be for MPs to write to Legg, saying that they intend to pay monies back - citing the wishes of their respective leaders - but asking him on what basis he's reached his assessment."

"But maybe they should do it anyway", say one left-aligned think tank leader. "Being seen to be able to pay back £12,000 is not popular either."

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