Last week's BBC interview with Tory MP Steen, blew the Tory strategy of pretending to be like ordinary people, right out of the water. The subject was the same subject matter of the past two weeks, that of MPs expenses. His interview was littered with things that Tories should only ever say to other Tories, and never within earshot of a reporter. His quotes included these gems:
"...do you know what it's about? Jealousy. I've got a very very large house. Some say it even looks like Balmoral. ... It just does me nicely."
"...as of this day I don't know what the fuss is about."
"... I took soundings from the constituents, and they are absolutely beside themselves with anger."
"... a wretched government here that has completely mucked up the system and caused resignation of me and many others, because it was this government that brought in the freedom of information act, ... actually caught me on the wrong foot, which, if I'd been cleverer, it wouldn't have done."
"...What right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None. "
Well, excuse me, (I say touching my forelock, and stooping so low that eyes meet the level of Steen's kneecaps), I'm so terribly sorry to question your expense claims on the public purse, So sorry sir, I won't do it again sir. (I wave my hand in a circular motion, grovel, grovel. grovel.) Please send an escort to take me back to my sticks and mud hovel in the woods, and I promise never, ever, ever to question again what the MPs of this country are doing with our peasants tax money.
