I realize from my previous interests which I have written about in this paper, that some readers do not like Rye News to report on anything that has a wider aspect than Rye and surrounding areas.
However, I do feel that this Tory cronyism needs to be aired as it affects all of us in some form or another, and we should be interested in this, as the individuals in the Tory lobbying scandal are voted in by the people (though not by everyone, I would like to add) who expect their MP to be a role model for society.
No doubt, somebody will come back with 'well, Labour is not innocent either'. No doubt they are right, but we are talking about the last 11 years of Conservative government and especially the recent lobbying disaster involving former prime minister David Cameron and Tory cronyism, and the whole system needs to be investigated by an independent group who have no connections to the government. It is not enough to have an internal enquiry.
The pandemic has hidden many unsavoury decisions by some MPs, including the money Boris Johnson used to upgrade his home with our taxes. MP Matt Hancock also allegedly gave a certain million pound contract to a former pub landlord he knew. Many contracts were given to people or companies who were closely connected to government sources - and we must not let this cronyism continue or be swept under the carpet because the vaccine roll out has been such a success.
We need more integrity
Yes, Johnson had the foresight to order the vaccine, but the organizing success came about through the NHS, the GPs, chemists and all the willing volunteers who helped in the centres. Also, let's not forget the "Test and Trace" disaster costing millions and which is still not 'world beating'.
Now Cameron, a previous Prime Minister, has been allegedly found lacking transparency and flouting the rules by having secret meetings with influential MPs to get financial support for a company he is involved in and, if successful, would give him personal financial gain.
As a society that votes, this is the time for us to lobby for more integrity, openness as to where money is being spent (or rather squandered), and to stop any nepotism by individuals whether they are out or in government, and that goes for all parties, especially when so many people and businesses are struggling at the moment, who do not have the option of putting a word into the ear of the present Chancellor.
