PM’s message to Labour supporters on NEC’s decisions

From @LabourList

Below is the text of an email sent by the Prime Minister today on the decisions taken by Labour’s NEC on expenses:

I know that people are angry about MPs’ expenses. I know that you are working hard, on the doorsteps and the phones, to put Labour’s message across and setting out the choice before voters this June: the choice between a Labour plan to grow Britain out of recession with help for families and businesses – or the Tory route – help the wealthiest few and cuts to public services for everyone at the worst possible time.

So I want to apologise to you on behalf of all politicians for this.

But every day dominated by newspaper stories about expenses is a day lost to talking about the work we are doing to help people with their jobs, their homes and their family.

Let’s remember that the vast majority of Labour MPs are decent, honest and hard-working. Any MPs who have abused the allowances system have let down themselves, their colleagues, party members and the public. And it’s even worse when ordinary families are worried about the impact of the recession.

The Party’s NEC and I are determined to put things right – not through words, but through action. That’s why Labour has been prepared to suspend MPs where serious allegations have been made.

To rebuild public trust, we don’t just need reparation for the past, but reassurance that we are acting properly in the present and renewal of people’s faith in politics for the future.

That’s why I’ve called for independent scrutiny for every claim made over the last four years, deciding how much should be paid back. The NEC agreed today that if parliament does not do this, then the Labour Party will.

As I said repayment will not necessarily be enough, which is why the NEC agreed today that wrongdoing will be investigated and dealt with by the Party. An NEC panel has been established which can recommend to the NEC that MPs are not allowed to stand as Labour candidates at the next General Election.

The allowance structure must be thoroughly reformed. Already I have asked Parliament to stop claims for furniture and fittings and ensure outer London MPs cannot claim a second home allowance.

And for the future we need more fundamental change.

As well as righting wrongs and cleaning up the system, there is now a clear need to go much further, as we start the process of rebuilding trust in our political system.

We must all now come together as a Party to make that happen.

Regards,

Gordon