So many things have been happening in past few weeks but I am going to reflect on events in two democracies. First relates the oldest (modern) mother of democracy, Britain and the second to the largest democracy in the world, India.
Westminster Parliament complex with its famous Clock Tower does not just symbolise the great city of London but also represents a source of the economic and political power that the British enjoyed for centuries till the rise of the US in late 19th century and early 20th century. Clearly the United Kingdom had lost its global economic and political leadership in the last six seven decades. However, following the disclosure of MPs’ expense claims its great democratic institution has lost much more in past two weeks. It has lost the trust that people of the UK have in their politicians and political institutions. Members of Parliament in the UK get around £64,000 per annum as salary. They are also entitled to claim expenses like allowances for second home etc. Most of the claims made by the MPs have been according to the rules set by members of parliament. But the manner and nature of the claims have invited strongest ever public outcry and disbelief from ordinary citizens. I will not describe in detail these expenses as there is already a lot published about these. However, I’ll focus on the principles violated and why that matters not only for democracy in the UK but democracy in general. First, it seems over the years a convention had evolved to claim expenses for second house expenses etc. as a compensation for low salaries that MPs get. So rather than arguing openly for increase in salaries, the rules were framed and implemented that in a way allowed MPs to claim expenses, which don’t necessarily fit the criterion set by the parliament rules, i.e., the expenses should be wholly and exclusively necessary to perform their duties as MP. Second, the MPs tried to justify their claims referring to the rules in words rather than in admitting to the violation of spirit of rules. This does not behold good for gentlemen and ladies of the British parliament. They hold public offices and should be accountable for tax payers' money.
The consequences of the expense claims political scandal is having far reaching effects on the House of Commons and political career of many politicians. The Speaker of the Commons resigned two days ago, first time in the last 300 years of British parliament! Many politicians have been forced to declare that they will not be standing for election to parliament in future. Some ministers are worried about their jobs. The government has announced that there will be an independent regulator to monitor and sanction MPs expenses in future and that there will be complete overhaul of expenses allowed.
Now, let’s turn from this remarkable political development in the UK to India where as I write the government is being formed by newly elected parliament. There are so many challenges that the largest democracy in the world faces. They arise from the facts like the size of the nation (both geographically and demographically), coalition politics, poverty, global economic recession and its impact on India, the security and so on. All this makes the Indian prime minister perhaps, the most important executive in the world. The Indian parliament owes it to the people of India to improve the institutions and offer high quality public service. Will the MPs of Indian parliament do it? We have to be optimistic and see what happens. However, what they could easily do, as they are starting a new term, follow the spirit of Freedom of Information Act and set up individual websites. They could put before their constituents an agenda for their five year term, provide a quarterly report on how they are progressing the agenda, declare the perks/expenses they claim in addition to their salary from tax payers' money and declare a time table (even though it may vary occasionally) when they will be visiting their constituency and where so that the people whom they represent can meet and talk to them. I don’t think above few things are too difficult but they are basic mechanisms for public accountability which the MPs as public servants politicians should be expected to abide by.
If the parliamentarians in the UK fail to clean up the system effectively it will be bad example for democracy everywhere. If the parliamentarians in India become more accountable and learn from others' mistake, they will add a feather to democratic political system. What a coincident that two torch bearers of democracy face historic opportunity to improve record of democracy to serve the people who choose to be governed by politicians.
Westminster Parliament complex with its famous Clock Tower does not just symbolise the great city of London but also represents a source of the economic and political power that the British enjoyed for centuries till the rise of the US in late 19th century and early 20th century. Clearly the United Kingdom had lost its global economic and political leadership in the last six seven decades. However, following the disclosure of MPs’ expense claims its great democratic institution has lost much more in past two weeks. It has lost the trust that people of the UK have in their politicians and political institutions. Members of Parliament in the UK get around £64,000 per annum as salary. They are also entitled to claim expenses like allowances for second home etc. Most of the claims made by the MPs have been according to the rules set by members of parliament. But the manner and nature of the claims have invited strongest ever public outcry and disbelief from ordinary citizens. I will not describe in detail these expenses as there is already a lot published about these. However, I’ll focus on the principles violated and why that matters not only for democracy in the UK but democracy in general. First, it seems over the years a convention had evolved to claim expenses for second house expenses etc. as a compensation for low salaries that MPs get. So rather than arguing openly for increase in salaries, the rules were framed and implemented that in a way allowed MPs to claim expenses, which don’t necessarily fit the criterion set by the parliament rules, i.e., the expenses should be wholly and exclusively necessary to perform their duties as MP. Second, the MPs tried to justify their claims referring to the rules in words rather than in admitting to the violation of spirit of rules. This does not behold good for gentlemen and ladies of the British parliament. They hold public offices and should be accountable for tax payers' money.
The consequences of the expense claims political scandal is having far reaching effects on the House of Commons and political career of many politicians. The Speaker of the Commons resigned two days ago, first time in the last 300 years of British parliament! Many politicians have been forced to declare that they will not be standing for election to parliament in future. Some ministers are worried about their jobs. The government has announced that there will be an independent regulator to monitor and sanction MPs expenses in future and that there will be complete overhaul of expenses allowed.
Now, let’s turn from this remarkable political development in the UK to India where as I write the government is being formed by newly elected parliament. There are so many challenges that the largest democracy in the world faces. They arise from the facts like the size of the nation (both geographically and demographically), coalition politics, poverty, global economic recession and its impact on India, the security and so on. All this makes the Indian prime minister perhaps, the most important executive in the world. The Indian parliament owes it to the people of India to improve the institutions and offer high quality public service. Will the MPs of Indian parliament do it? We have to be optimistic and see what happens. However, what they could easily do, as they are starting a new term, follow the spirit of Freedom of Information Act and set up individual websites. They could put before their constituents an agenda for their five year term, provide a quarterly report on how they are progressing the agenda, declare the perks/expenses they claim in addition to their salary from tax payers' money and declare a time table (even though it may vary occasionally) when they will be visiting their constituency and where so that the people whom they represent can meet and talk to them. I don’t think above few things are too difficult but they are basic mechanisms for public accountability which the MPs as public servants politicians should be expected to abide by.
If the parliamentarians in the UK fail to clean up the system effectively it will be bad example for democracy everywhere. If the parliamentarians in India become more accountable and learn from others' mistake, they will add a feather to democratic political system. What a coincident that two torch bearers of democracy face historic opportunity to improve record of democracy to serve the people who choose to be governed by politicians.
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