by antiaristo » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:38 pm
Is this more intimidation of MP's?<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Ousted MPs reflect on 'a situation as dreadful as success was a delight' <br><br>The Commons has heard testimony on the trauma of leaving an elite club <br><br>David Hencke<br>Tuesday January 17, 2006<br>The Guardian <br><br><br>You are a member of the country's most elite club. You enjoy many of the privileges and perks of power, combined with the moral satisfaction of being a custodian of democracy. But when you quit, either from choice or because those who put you there remove you, how do you cope with the sudden loss of status and power? At the general election last May 136 MPs left parliament. Now 22 have poured out their hearts to a Commons committee about how they have coped with the upheaval. These are some of their comments:<br><br>Peter Bradley Labour MP Wrekin 1997-2005<br>"Even for hard-bitten politicians, losing office is not a happy experience. MPs who lose their seats lose much more than their job. They also, virtually overnight and very publicly, lose their status to which they have become accustomed in their local community, access to a significant part of their social circle at Westminster ... their own sense of identity ... I have heard former colleagues liken the experience to a bereavement."<br><br>He calls for counselling "to help ex-members through the difficulties associated with defeat, which could typically include a sense of failure, loss of self esteem, fear about the future."<br><br>Tony McWalter Labour MP Hemel Hempsted 1997-2005<br>"One is left suddenly without any period of preparation to deal with a situation which is as dreadful as success was a delight. The treatment meted out is very similar to that facing employees of private companies sacked for dishonesty. The latter are required to move all personal effects and to be accompanied while they clear their desks until they leave the premises never to return. Being an MP is very similar, except that all vestige of courtesy or gratitude is entirely absent ... to move from being someone who could make a difference to people's lives to full-time job seeker is a transition few would wish to make."<br><br>Syd Rapson Labour MP Portsmouth North 1997-2005<br>"When the election was called I had no real time to say goodbye to many friends, both staff and members, and my eight years of intense closeness with them all was immediately terminated ... the intensity of my sadness is felt even though I chose to retire. I had 29 years of public service as a councillor prior to my two terms in parliament and I was also 63 years old. How much worse it must be for members of younger years who lose their seats unexpectedly."<br><br>Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru MP Ceredigion 2000-2005<br>"I can think of no decent employer who would abandon ex-employees in the way the house turns its back on ex-members. Ex-members should be given pension advice, advice on entitlement to benefits, help with job seeking, CVs, interview techniques, etc."<br><br>Some dwell on their treatment when they arrived for the last time to clear out their desks.<br><br>Linda Perham Labour MP Ilford North 1997-2005<br>"When I arrived at Portcullis House, while my possessions were for the first time in eight years being put through the security check, I started to explain who I was.<br><br>"The person at the desk did not know what to do and began telephoning someone. Meanwhile my pass was taken from me and, despite my vainly telling the security person that it was disabled, he tried to use it to operate the swing-door entrance gate.<br><br>"It of course did not work ... a discussion then ensued on whether I would be permitted to go up to my office unaccompanied ... finally, I was allowed to walk to the lift and go up on my own."<br><br>Brian Cotter Liberal Democrat MP Weston-Super-Mare 1997-2005<br>"I was expected to clear out my office in the House of Commons within seven days, indeed less. I went to the HoC on Tuesday after election day with notice to be out two days later on Thursday."<br><br>It would be wrong to say all ex-MPs complained. Many praised staff and were very happy with the arrangements. Typical was Sir Teddy Taylor, Conservative MP for Southend East, 1980-2005. "My only real problem I have had since retirement is putting on weight."<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://politics.guardian.co.uk/commons/story/0,,1688024,00.html">politics.guardian.co.uk/c...24,00.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br><br>So, if you join the club and lose your seat, you will be looked after. But if you do your duty, and we can force you out and you will face 'a situation as dreadful as success was a delight' <br><br> <p></p><i></i>