As a manager in a utility energy distribution company in charge of projects, I have to repeatedly each year pass educational training courses on anti corruption and bribery, fair ethics in the work place, data protection and inclusiveness & anti bullying and anti bias against minorities. 1, I get the training and become fully educated on how to conduct myself while carrying my role, 2, I have to pass the same set of courses each year so there is no excuse for not knowing the relevant laws and rules. 3, if I break any of these rules and laws I am guilty bang to rights and fully accountable for my actions. *I find it incredulous that anyone in government office is not required to do the same*
One of the funniest and best ideas I've heard is that politicians should wear jackets with their sponsors on like in formula 1, so we can really know who we're voting for, if they're not comfortable putting it on a jacket, then they shouldn't be taking the money.
Here's a crazy idea, how about banning MPs from receiving gifts? And banning them from second jobs? If they have time for a second job then frankly they aren't working hard enough for their £80k.
I think politicians should be held to a much higher degree of disdain than they're currently held in; they're finding it all too easy to profiteer from being an MP. What is preventing anti-lobbying laws and the rules from actually being implemented, and why can't we currently get these law-breaking MPs out of power? I think it's an affront to a democracy, since right now there is no easy way for an MP who breaks the rules to be put up to an election and lose the constituency. I would absolutely make that a law - break the rules (with evidence, I'm not a savage) and be set to metaphorically hang
Yup. Like anything over a certain value in literally any other job could be counted as a bribe, and could result in you losing your job. That's especially true if you have security clearance
@@thefreebooter8816 The degree of disdain is definitely there. In fact, the level of disdain is so high and fundamentally ingrained in the general public that most people have become completely apathetic in the entire democratic process. "Oh, the Tories are corrupt? Well, no surprise there. All the politicians are the same, so I'll keep voting for them anyway." If they actually bother to vote in the first place. In a democracy, you won't see productive, unbiased and inspirational politicians if the general public keeps an extremely low bar for them. It's hard when the choices are so poor, but if more people cared, there would be better MPs.
Hislop is the most intelligent , literate and anti-corrupt person in the room - we need more like him . Remove lobbying & insider trading - Covid seems to have made MPs think they are invincible
I mean the sad thing is they're not even talking about removing lobbying but just being transparent about it and you can see how much push back even that faces from the mp's in the room.
Ian Hislop is a very intelligent and humorous and comes across as honest and genuine, it’s a great shame that the same can’t be said for all in parliament
Edited from the Press 2016 and 2022 Here in continental Europe, Johnson and his clown show have been kept well out of the Ukraine loop for safety. You may remember Johnson's candid photo at Stansted airport after seeming to have slept in the Easy Jet baggage hold, on his return from his fourth attendance at the oligarch's favorite son's drug addled 'Russian Bonga Bonga' style party in 2016 at Lebedev's palace, which is "so camera'd up that shots can be take from ten angles at a time for "extra clarity" in Perugia where "everything is on the menu" and according to MI5,6,7,8 and 9 "all who attend are compromised by Putin's dubious friends" It appears that in the corridors of Brussels, they haven't forgotten either. "We don't want Johnson, the scruffy liar, to spill the beans again to Putin in exchange for a further delay in publishing the "Italian Party Pictures in HD" regarding our actions and our help in Ukraine" said Ursula to Šefčovič, in fluent Polish.
Alberto Costa made a robust, did I say robust, say that again, robust... prat of himself. Did he think he was in court or just wanted to impress us with his legal credentials? Absolutely no match for Ian Hislop.
The average English working class individual still seems to defer to the posh upper class (i.e. the tories) And the people that they defer to have absolutely no interest in the great unwashed. Doffing their hats is in their bloody genes! Revolt nowadays? So unfortunately, millions still want to be taken for fools and look up to their betters.
I’m a nurse, and anything beyond a box of chocolates for the team is either turned down or redirected through hospital management. We wouldn’t ever even consider taking a gift in exchange for, say, a side room for a patient. Would love to see these ethics being adopted by the people who run our country.
When I had to have a small operation in a day ward, I had a few there so I took them a tin of chocolate for the ward staff, it was in the COVID time, and it was to say thank you to all the staff who look after to me. It wasn’t to gain favour, because they where brilliant without the gift. All NHS staff are brilliant, Thank you
So true, when I was nursing, about 20 years ago now , I had a patients relative insist on giving me £50 for just doing my job but he saw it as something special about the care I gave to his relative all in I kept trying to refuse but he was literally forcing it into my hands and would have gone all over the floor if I hadn’t taken it! It was made more challenging as there was a little language barrier with the patients family as well. In the end, I spoke to the ward manager and it was agreed it would go into the ward fund which benefitted patients and we got someone to translate this for the family so they knew, agreed and signed just so there were no issues later.
@SassySam Thankyou, the Hardest thing for me becoming disabled, was having to stop work . I absolutely loved what I did and miss it. Despite what government s try to suggests, not everybody who is disabled , would rather not work. Even if I only made a small difference in a persons life that day by giving them a smile, explaining something they didn’t understand, or just freshening them up a bit. Many people who work in health care today, I struggle to see why they are doing their job sadly. Many talk about the stresses and they are not rewarded for doing their job and I understand to a point, but they seem to understand the rewards you can get from patients if you deserve and treat them with respect. When they make progress, or smile, or just knowing you are making a difference in peoples lives. That may seem glib to some people but I think it still matters. There are some amazing healthcare people around, but way too many who should find a different job because they simply don’t care and they treat their patients pretty awfully. Sorry, my little soap box moment. Something I am passionate about wanting to improve somehow if I can.
@@sleepingbear1889 I am really pleased you had such a wonder and positive experience, but unfortunately not all are so lucky. I have been stuck in bed for over 3 years now with very little support because of nhs not being good where we are. There are an odd fantastic nurses , but an awful lot of issues which have had to go to ombudsman to be sorted out now sadly as you just go round and round in circles trying to get things resolved when they won’t even acknowledge an issue, but it is a good way of them not having to pay the care they should be I suppose for people. I think it may just sadly be this part of England so hopefully they are better up north, in my experience they are. When I have been a patient in London they are awesome. Time tomove I think…
@@1Thedairy good for you, we can agree to disagree. I'm sure that you're a fan of someone who some of us don't like, (probably Clarkson) but who really cares? 🤦♀️😂
@@SoYouThinkSo hahahaha you've got to be from his office mate, pasting this defence of Costa everywhere in this section. Go edit his wiki for flattery next (not that you can rely on that site for fact as the right hon costa once said), just make sure you've got your vpn on :)))
I like Ian Hislop. He simply tells it like it is. His frank approach and delivery tends to shock those whom are part of the "establishment". There are those whom have used the "system" to try to bring him down, but he ploughs on regardless. And good on him....
Ian Hislop is one of the last bastions of hope in the Britain. God bless his excellent wit and zero-bullshit filter. He cuts through the reams of bull-shit like a hot knife through butter. I grew up with him on TV and miss him now I live abroad. Looking from the outside in at Englands sad state, it offers a glimmer of hope to know there are still people like Ian Hislop fighting for democracy and transparency.
@@cottinghamcyclinggardener6822 Russell Brand used to give a shit, now he just grifts for viewership. His shift to promoting anti-vax propaganda while pretending to be impartial no longer works.
Edited from the Press 2016 and 2022 Here in continental Europe, Johnson and his clown show have been kept well out of the Ukraine loop for safety. You may remember Johnson's candid photo at Stansted airport after seeming to have slept in the Easy Jet baggage hold, on his return from his fourth attendance at the oligarch's favorite son's drug addled 'Russian Bonga Bonga' style party in 2016 at Lebedev's palace, which is "so camera'd up that shots can be take from ten angles at a time for "extra clarity" in Perugia where "everything is on the menu" and according to MI5,6,7,8 and 9 "all who attend are compromised by Putin's dubious friends" It appears that in the corridors of Brussels, they haven't forgotten either. "We don't want Johnson, the scruffy liar, to spill the beans again to Putin in exchange for a further delay in publishing the "Italian Party Pictures in HD" regarding our actions and our help in Ukraine" said Ursula to Šefčovič, in fluent Polish.
What I would really like to see is Ian Hislop on the Russel Brand podcast... maybe even Rogan after that. I think he would make a great guest for both audiences.
Ian, as expected, did very well. Still, It saddens me to think that someone like Ian is needed, to sit there and state the obvious, in a room full of people acting like they are hearing something very complex and two-sided, something that will require a lot of thought and further discussion. No it isn't, and no it won't. Just do your bloody job already.
Manyui, well put! I particularly like the 'acting' reference. That's exactly what all MP's do until they get found out by overwhelming evidence against them. Total corruption across all parties in my opinion, the dirty side of politics!
It makes me sick! They all know that they are taking the piss and getting away with it, and they certainly will carry on if they are given the slightest chance! 😡 We certainly need to hold these terrible people to account. Thank you Ian and team.
I'm a Canadian. In Canada, MPs cannot lobby while they are sitting, and are prohibited from doing so for a number of years afterward. I'm amazed that being an MP is not a full-time job in the UK; and especially that they are able to sell their influence.
I’m a Brit and It amazes me too: but then I remember that expecting people in power to make life harder for themselves would be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.
@@markharrison2484 I can only see a second job is acceptable IF and it's a very strong IF you have a job like a doctor where you have to do a certain number of hours and you use your holidays to do those hours
Well other than the prime ministers wife it seems. Justin Trudeau is happy to let his wife do the dirty work for him. He puts on a veneer of respectability whilst immersed in dirt!
I recall one MP stating "I have an awful lot of spare time on my hands". That's *code* for "come & see me some time. Tell me what's on yr mind". Now, obviously these lengthy periods of inactivity don't measure up to the HoL 'clock on, collect £300, go home' shenanigans, but what *are* they doing with this free time? In an age of threats of surveillance by the state, upon its citizens, shouldn't we simply turn the tables on them & just tag these blighters with tracking devices?.
@@markharrison2484 It doesn’t amaze me I honestly have no idea what they do I mean you get the big tv face and I am not sure what they do so what about you general town MP what are they doing they talk a lot of shite but what else are they doing I find this system irrelevant it needs big reforms Must of been pissed when I written this makes no sense haha 👍😂
@@RichardHunterGreenwich blew my mind. What an iredeemable shitbox of a human being, trying to cross examine people there in good faith to offer suggestions and information on corruption. Baffling.
Sorry, you are just wrong. A very very large proportion of the English population will vote for them no matter what. Only a few decent number of the public are fed up.
@@tariq_sharif Its a good point and true at every general election. The problem we (the public) have is that the political system is loaded against us. We get one opportunity every 5 years to vote for the same people wearing a different coloured tie and NOTHING changes. If the majority where not to vote, they would still get in! We need to get away from the club mentality of MPs. Give the public the real power to sack or de-select the bent ones. And using modern technology, let the people vote more.
@@mhappy01 maybe starting with PR? Elections are won and lost in a smaller section of seats. So many have been blue/red/yellow/orange for a long time with little chance of change. Some of my family live 50 miles away and outside the major city I live in and their view of their experiences are very different to mine (wrong obviously). They will only vote one way for the wrong reasons. It’s maddening.
@@illomens2766 the bbc don’t lobby, they are just scared of losing their tv license fees, and the head of the bbc is appointed by the current government, why? Who knows smells bad .
@@ronnieroo227 - Then you just allow them to enter the realm of arguing about "what is lobbying?", it needs to be if you are an MP your job is representing your constituents, not taking any money from anyone or any company period.
If MPs need to be told what the rules are for lobbying etc, then they need an induction. I think they have one. They also have civil servants to help them. THEY HAVE NO EXCUSES.
Indeed. The idea that Owen Paterson or many of his fellow MP’s didn’t think, or understand, that he had broken the rules is unfuckingbelieveable. The fact of the matter is that the corruption runs so deep, and is so normalised, they simply think this is the way liberal democracy functions.
They do have an excuse. It's called 'honest intent', and it seems that it was written in to law to serve as a crash barrier for progress against corruption.
If there is any question about a person's Social Security Benefits, the DWP will immediately stop all payments while they investigate. If they conclude someone's obtained Benefits that they're not entitled to, whether by their own or the DWP's mistake, the DWP will make them pay back every penny. If they're found to have deliberately defrauded the system, they will also face criminal prosecution. Those are the rules for the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. Why shouldn't MPs face an equivalent system?
Traitors all from top to bottom. Simple solution in less than 4 minuets th-cam.com/video/MOTWkQZKELU/w-d-xo.html all it needs is for enough to take responsibility by showing their support and things are put right. Plain and simple. Or you can ignore the fact they are traitors, and do nothing but wing and moan, and continue to fund them with your taxes?
I have full respect for Ian Hislop, his team and the excellent work they do. If just 1% of MP's shared his integrity our country wouldn't be on it's arse.
Agreed, totally insane to me it's so openly used in America too. Even though money is always going to break conflict of interest for the area the government is supposed to serve and that's the public.
Such hollow excuses -- i've worked in both public and private sector, heavily regulated industries ... i'm not a high ranking person in any company i worked... just one of the workers, i don;'t make decisions or have any influence into purchasing or major company trajectory -- but even i'm not permitted and have to seek approval for any perk above around a £25 value. We're drilled into us about how even an give of around £100 value should be questioned as to why ..... we take courses annually mandatorily on this stuff... but yeah .. MP's don't think it's so important that a multi-billion pound company gives away a highly sought after world-cup ticket for "nothing" .... it's never for nothing or just to be friendly ... it's investment for the company ...but MP's claim to not understand this ... pull the other one .... more gaslighting by MP's towards the population
@@highlightshadow THIS! we used to get boxes of chocs appear in the office, it would be because a random supplier had sent them with latest delivery of paper or something.. But the staff in purchases weren't allowed to take them." just in case ". So they'd get sent round the office. Thats the mentality many companies have to work in. So why are mp's allowed to take 1500 quid trips and not have to be more explicit ? They're not that naïve.
The sad fact is the US system of lobbying by companies for personal interests has been happening in the UK. Watch the Aljazeera documentary on Israeli lobby and their episode the Takedown ie taking down a list of Mps who speak against Israel and speak up for Palestinians. Also boasting how they provide the script for how the issue should be addressed etc. The other most recent are contracts being awarded to friends, family of serving ministers with no checks.
Jesus Christ, Alberto Costa has to be one of the fluffiest and boring questioners in history. Whatever Kinder Egg law credentials he’s got aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. He totally embarrassed himself here!
We all knew the corruption was bad. I didn't think it would be this bear faced, cringe worthy and unapologetic. The moment when the Private Eye Journo's ask them to write a brief description as to why they accept thousand pound gifts and they look around and chuckle as if its the most insane idea ever made me realise it's a lot worse than we thought.
Its the glib way they respond, deflecting accountability by claiming they only focus on "the Process and Procedures" and that is the reason why Corporations and self interested, interest groups buy Politicians Wholesale through Lobbying, while going entirely and conveniently unacknowledged or even noticed by the beneficiaries of said corruption, even if that's obviously at everyone else's expense in the long run. They then proceed to summarize shinning a light on their Classes corruption with some glib statement like "Because you love Democracy" . . . Incredibly insulting.
@@scandalasdog the embarrassing flattery employed, the cringe worthy defense of I'm too old to use tech and the stories that wander into nothingness. THIS is the committee that is meant to be looking into the lobbying. They look like they've been trained BY lobbyists
I felt Ian’s and his colleagues frustration. They represented the general public against this wall of doublespeak. How can you change a system when the people who create the rules are like this?
I wish Ian and his colleagues hadn't danced around the key point and just come out and said it though. These companies are paying MP's to sway votes. He kind of alluded it to by referencing the industries. But still.
It really feels like a kid talking to a teacher about why his homework wasn't done, when the teacher is just asking 'Did everybody do their homework?'.
How on earth do MPs think it is OK to have such conflict of interests? Well done Ian for pointing out the bleeding obvious to the apparently hard of thinking.
Great stuff!! Watching from the states and I have to tell you that this is what's currently going on with our Supreme Court. A justice and his wife are gifted a half-million dollar trip from an individual with ties to a political organization and the justice is allowed to say it was just hospitality so I didn't feel the need to list it. Come on. So to listen to these MP's get into the minutiae over whether or not to describe gifts in a line or a paragraph just makes my head explode. Again, great work!
If anyone in the country deserves a knighthood, it's Ian Hislop. He's dedicated his life to holding the government to account as best he can, and this video clearly shows the value that his intellect has for the country when put up againt elected officials that in their own words "were born savages that need morals explaining to them"
Yes, their disdane for Mr Hislop was palpable, and Ian's exasperation was painful to watch and I say that because the audience on here is World wide and they get to see a bunch of crooks are running the UK, it's embarrassing!
That MP Alberto Costa... christ, you could see right through him. He tried to flatter Hislop, pretended that they were on the same side, then tried to confuse Hislop with a convoluted analogy in order to trap him in a contrary position, then tried to over explain something that should be simple to explain. A total manipulator, and a bad one at that.
Excellent responses from the Private Eye team. It's not that complicated really. Every MP should be required to publish an annual report of their attendance, voting record, surgeries and - crucially - other income and interests. How much they receive, what for, and what they actually did. Also how many hours and days they spent working for these other interests. We also need a fully independent standards commission with legal powers of sanction even to the extent of recommending recall of an elected member.
Only issue with that is with the surgeries as that could breach data protection regulations (emphasis on “could”). Voting records are also public knowledge anyway from what I gather.
No fuck that. Just fucking make lobbying and second jobs illegal. No MP should be doing any of that shit. Stop fucking messing around with debate and process, just fucking ban it. Simple.
Incredibly disappointing that in this day and age Mr. Hislop should have to point out to supposedly well-educated MPs that a company that pays an MP or offers hospitality or does, in other ways, an MP a favour is expecting something in return! The whole of the civil service has to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, not just an actual conflict. As a start, every MP should have to abide by the civil service code and do exactly as Ian Hislop detailed ie provided explanations as to the reason for their employment and hospitality, etc on each and every occasion. Being an MP and especially a minister is the biggest gravy train going and its time it was derailed.
I think allot of MPs really believe that they are being hired due to their brilliance, not for the influence and access they have. They are incredibly deluded.
Back in my Civil Service days, a handful of times I received a small token as a thank you gift from ordinary members of the public. Each and every time, I had to send them back along with a letter thanking them and explaining why I couldn't accept their gift.
We live under the misnomer that MP's are in some way clever, professional people. They are not. They are narcissists/sociopaths/ etc who went to the right school and are good at self-promotion.
Oh god the idea that the lawyer couldn't see the problem with freebie football tickets is nuts. I've worked in minimum wage jobs where I wasn't allowed to take tips, MPs get a fortune, they should pay their own way. No second jobs, no kickbacks, no freebies
Would also be good to cap political donations, have complete transparency around who is giving which party what and when and (this one is slightly trickier) have MPs held to a much more stringent standard of behaviour so the job doesn’t attract people who are into shady shit so they can’t easily be blackmailed.
Absolutely. As a nurse, there is no ambiguity about things. The professional body has recently said, "...all nurses and midwives must refuse all but the most trivial gifts, favours and hospitality. We would suggest that £50 is not a ‘trivial’ sum..." In other words, even £50 - let alone a ticket worth hundreds of £££ - would mean getting struck off. The fact that Committee member seemed to take pride in his role, yet struggled with the concept is very telling
I used to work for an electronics manufacturer. Every engineer had to take a remote learning course on ethics - anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, etc. The main message was "if it looks fishy or abusive to you, here's how to blow the whistle". It took an hour or so, and we had to take refreshers every other year if I recall correctly. I'm not sure it made all that much difference, but at least they tried.
I worked in a supermarket as a student. I did the job bloody well. But it was certainly made clear to us that we couldn't accept tips or gifts or a percy pig from the bag of sweets they'd paid for. And why? Because it looks corrupt. If we're seen pocketing a customers fiver, or eating the produce it looks bad, even if it was totally innocent and legal and done purely out of the customer's generosity. This looks bad for MPs and bad for the institution they represent.
Ian Hislop is amazing. He really says what needs to be said and does not care about ruffling feathers. In this video, he is surrounded by some of the slimiest characters thinking they are smarter than him, but he always trumps them with solid facts.
They're politicians, so by definition they represent themselves and no-one else! Their key skill is persuading others to allow them power... Douglas Adams got right with his comedic description of the galactic presidents' role and why they have no real power! The last type of person who should be allowed any influence over others, are the people who can influence others to allow them to have this power.
I am trying to imagine working in the same room as this Costa . It would be an extremely unpleasant, nausiating experience. What a ghastly sycophantic fellow. Jenkins not much better. What hope is there?
This is a smashing edit of this committee session. Well done. It's very entertaining indeed and not something I would've seen otherwise. Great work, I'll be subscribing.
He's a national treasure at this point. Can't get over these MPs playing dumb and acting like they have the moral intuition of children, who need to be expressly told NOT to do something to realise it's corrupt.
What's even more ridiculous is it's these same MPs who believe in deregulation, that we can trust businesses not to do bad things if we remove the rules stopping them.
Most children have far better moral intuition. Those that don't - seven times out of ten you are looking at a development disorder. Immorality and unethical behaviours are learned; more often than not, taught; behaviours.
Looks like you are nipping this in the bud and that is a very good thing! Here in the US this looks like very small potatoes! The corruption in our government is all encompassing. The revolving doors and dark money is rampant on both sides and seems almost unstoppable. We do have Bernie Sanders and more and more progressives are being voted in to congress every voting cycle, so I do have hope.
@21.48 For someone with such a strict rule on accepting gifts, Alberto "I NEVER accept hospitality... and I didn't" Costa and his staff seemed to be in a hopeless moral quandary when faced with Heineken's offer of a couple of football tickets.
I fundamentally agree. My MP should be too busy to have time for a second job. I work for the government for about a third of an MP salary an I certainly am.
I think they should have second jobs. But not the ones they want. 4hrs a week as a hospital porter, a rubbish collector, a bus driver, a supermarket assistant. Anything that will actually give them a clue as to what real life is like outside those walls.
@@jaynbob42 That's actually a good idea, they should have to experience work. Not some cushy do nothing consultancy, actual work to give real perspective.
These types of committees often bring in journalists or watchdogs to give advice on matters like this. They are in a less formal setting, as you see, with a less formal format. Basically, the most formal informal conversation in the country.
I worked at a local authority for many years, and once put in 25 hours of my own time over the course of a month, to help a member of the public resolve an issue with regard to probate on their mother's property. They were grateful and bought me a little hamper with some biscuits and sweet treats... but it felt like more work just correctly declaring the gift, after various forms had been filled out, photographs taken and statements given (from both myself and the gift giver) all for some cheese and crackers!! How these MPs working for the very same government get away with accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts without so much a second thought is nothing short of criminal.
Did these MP's not realize this committee was going to be broadcast to the general public? and that they would come across as complete and total tools?
It is quite staggering, and I am only 6 minutes into this, that it needs Hislop to explain to MP's what is, and is not dishonest. MP's are supposed to have the highest standard of behaviour and sadly they don't even seem to understand what is honest.
I recently retired from a civil service job. The rules we had to follow are some of the strictest and if we broke them at all we were out. MPs are civil servants. Why can't they have repercussions for their transgressions? This sends a bad message to hard working, honest government workers.
I don't understand the position of the civil servants working in number10/cabinet office, because surely when they saw issues they had a duty to report them. So , assuming people did, what happened? And if they didn't why not? I worked in gaming, the ENDLESS explanations about what was legal and what wasn't (like is briefly mentioned about financial) , its mind blowing mp's can claim they didn't know.
As mentioned above, most of these MPs think they're above the rules. The fact that they are ultimately publically elected civil servants seems to be completely lost on them. It just highlights what is wrong with the electoral system and how it creates "safe seats".
Just look into how USA Congress have made personal millions over the last year alone due to insider trading, a loophole in a law. Completely wrong. We can't have that or anything like it in UK government.
And why do you think he isn't a politician? Do you not see what his role is in this play that is public life? He enjoys the fame, kudos, and rich rewards for playing the smart arse and mocking the corrupt politicians but does he actually make the world a better place for all his intellect, education, and personal magnetism? No he doesn't - because he's genuinely NOT BOTHERED ENOUGH to make any such effort. He could easily win a seat as an MP just on his fame alone. Yet if he did he'd have to prove himself better than the corrupt politicians - and he knows this well. So what can we conclude from his failure to become a politician (in order to actually do something about all the 'awful' corruption that he's always banging on about)? We can only conclude that he's quite happy making a living off the backs of the corrupt. It's impossible to imagine that he hasn't actually thought of this himself or, god forbid he hasn't, that someone else hasn't thought of it and put it to him. So he's just an actor pretending to be outraged but really raking the money in and laughing all the way to the bank. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he'd been invited numerous times to be on one of the boards of one of the big companies that get government contracts.
@@KeldorDAntrell I'm not sure you appreciate Ian Hislop's continued battle against lies and corruption despite being sued by the rich and powerful on a regular basis - he's one of the good guys !!
@@KeldorDAntrell This really is one of the most impressive displays of absolute nonsense I've ever seen. You don't have to be an MP to expose corruption and demand that it's eradicated, in fact you're probably worse off being an MP if that's your goal. This video alone will do more damage to the corrupt politicians than any one MP attempting altruism in parliament and being either ignored or actively shunned. "does he actually make the world a better place for all his intellect, education, and personal magnetism?" - from this video alone, yes.
@@jackdavies9652 will it do more damage? You wait and see. How old are you? 20? If so that would explain your naivety. Some of us have lived long enough to have seen this sort of shit again and again and *nothing* ever happens. So try switching your brain on and considering this fact. I've assumed you're very young because I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. If you're as old as I am, then you must be a cretin, in which case the conversation is definitely over. As to your claim that being an MP would be detrimental to exposing and ending political corruption, for god's sake please make an attempt at a proper argument. One does not merely make a claim and leave it at that as if having said a thing makes it so. That's *not* how intelligent people conduct arguments. One must *explain* how one's argument makes sense. Since it is *only* politicians that make laws, it can *only* be through political legislation that corruption can be ended. Do you not understand this? Political commentators can *draw attention* to political corruption, point out loop holes in the law that allow unethical practices, etc. but they *cannot* - *CANNOT* do anything to change matters because they have no *power* to do make the corruption illegal; and if a politician is exposed as having broken the law (and they are usually much to savvy to do this) their political allies can create smokescreens, their cronies in the media can do the same or muck-sling to create another target for public criticism, or even simple evade the law with the *precise type of prattle that these stuffed shirts on this panel have done* . Now, please reassess your reply to me taking into account the facts that I *have* explained the rationale behind my argument and you *have not* . Then maybe you can try again and demonstrate some debating skill and intelligence. Or just fuck off.
I’m a town planner, and planners aren’t even ALLOWED to accept any gifts/remuneration from members of the public, for the obvious reason that there could be a perceived conflict of interest. But of course nobody expects MPs to abide by the same rules, ethics and blindingly obvious guidelines that most of the rest of us do.
Same throughout all departments within councils, no gifts allowed. Why should MPs be any different? It stinks.They end up representing the needs of big businesses rather than the electorate they are paid to serve.
I work with Town Planners and this is 100% correct. Why financial manipulations are forbidden beyond the walls of the Houses of Parliament is beyond me.
Even in a committee to discuss the issue, politicians were trying to excuse their behaviour. Why is it that they cannot see, or I should say, refuse to see, that companies and rich individuals do not give gifts and jobs to politicians without wanting quid pro quo. The problem is a simple one and has simple solution. By accepting these gifts, they are compromised. Why not simply stop it?
Because the majority of them were told from a very early age that they were born to rule and to do everything they can to help influence the rules. The curriculum at Eton is a lot different to a standard government funded school...
As would happen in all reputable businesses! Gifts / emoluments are not acceptable and any transgressions would generally lead to disciplinary action likely dismissal - bring that in for politicians and it stops overnight!
awww, but how can an MP survive on only a pittence of £81,932 per year (expenses excluded) (£1,575 per week), they need their seconds jobs in order to make ends meet and employ the gardener in their second or third homes in the countryside.
@@dnyhan tax rates have gone down under the Tories for that type of income, and if both parents are earning that is a ridiculously lavish income even with your South East childcare and mortgage factored in. You forgot about the private school fees though in your analysis, absolutely vital.
I know. That was jaw dropping! A committee member who saw nothing wrong in taking a gift because it went to a 'hard working' member of staff! So that's ok then in his books.
@@bettys9674 Yes indeed; and with a not insignificant amount of passive aggressiveness thrown-in. Even if he did try to dress it up in a super-smarmy “I’d love to hear your opinion” slant.
Agree. Out of all of the footage, this is the bit that made me laugh. "I took your £10k (or what ever it was) gift and gave it to my mate Dave because he works so hard. What is wrong with that??" It just makes you realise even more how either thick or completely detached from reality these people are.
What’s immediately apparent is that Messrs Hislop, Hughes and Brooks are all a damn sight more intelligent than the people on the committee. Anyone else get the impression that the committee members didn’t actually listen to what was being said and that they still can’t see what the problem is? No wonder the levels of trust in public life are at such a low point.
@@favesongslist My issue with this comment is that people don't get to choose which MP represents their constituency - that is the business of the parliamentary party. It is in the parties interests to elect people into power who tow the party line and who cow-tow to the interest of their donors and their senior officials. When people vote, they vote for party rather than MP in most constituencies. You could argue that people ought to vote for independents or the opposition, but that neglects the first past the post reality and peoples preferences regarding policy of the party they're voting for. People may well want a Conservative or Labour government, but they may despise their MP - But what are they to do when they have no say over which MP that party puts forward?
@@kawallabair3216 I agree with you. Yet surely this misses the true point, it is better to have an upright MP regardless of Party. Many people vote for the party without any care who they actually elect to represent them. In the not so distant past the Party name was not allowed on the Ballot Paper, So at least you had to know the name of the MP. You rightly point out is that almost no one will vote for an independent or even a small party; however good the candidate is. People care about Money and Jobs yet blindly vote for a party. Many vote a Party on who may or may not become the PM, yet that is the also just the business of the parliamentary party. Party politics and so called 'Tactical voting' is destroying democracy, yet again that is the choice of voters. At the end of the day We deserve who we vote for.
@G M Yep. And they keep on getting elected back in, their voters love their party so much they do not often care who acutely represents them in parliament.
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for MPs, civil servants, ministers , advisors , or anyone else involved in government, national or local, to be receiving any hospitality , gifts, entertainment, restaurant meals, orexpensive freebees of any sort. Why can't they be like doctors? They can get a cheap biro or a post it pad from the drug company and that's it. If government officials need to meet with members of a company to discuss procurement or contracts let them do so at a properly minuted meeting at an official office, not at Wembley stadium, Newmarket or a fancy restaurant.
It's so refreshing to see someone talking so directly and frankly as Ian does here. No double speak, no legalese subterfuge. He's just like you know what you're doing, we know what you're doing, drop the fucking charade. I love it.
@@london_james yes Ian is too honest, unlike all our politicians and government who promise us the Earth to get to where they want, then lie to us and turn there backs on us once they’ve achieved that goal.
Watching from Spain: people like Alberto Costa are precisely the problem with modern parlimentarians in the world today. He does not seems to understand that accepting a gift from a company apparently for "no" reason isn't a problem, and can be accepted. Clearly Heineken have so much much money to spare that they are dishing out gifts and not requiring anything in return. The UK was always held as a system with very little corruption compared to mine, but it does seem that the UK corruption is very much under the radar and out of most people's earshot.
I have to say he came across as a smarmy Jock wanker. Properly supercilious. Yet he thought he was dong it the correct way until the chairman gently upbraided him.
Yeah Costa stood out for me too. The only people his tired schtick will befuddle are other MPs and only then because they're eager to have any sort of explanation that pins blame on the 'process' as opposed to their own naked greed and corruption.
I live in South Africa, where we have a hugely corrupt government and civil service. I have always looked up to the UK establishment as having the highest ethics, but to hear politicians ask for guidance on what is blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain is actually rather depressing.
I think it oozes from the pore of anybody who went thru eton/harrow/oxbridge and works in Westminster. Its endemic. Dyou ever wonder if Guy Fawkes had it right several hundred years ago? Lol
@@annaholley8913 god i wish but i get the feeling somebody like that who would rock the boat so to speak and change things forever, something would mysteriously go wrong i usually hate conspiracy theory bullshit but its not as if it hasn't happened before
I'd like to have seen Paul Merton, Angus Daeton and Boris Johnson there as well. Just like the good old days. If only they could have then see themselves now...!
Now you can see why Alberto Costa was booted out by Scotland. Costa was born to Italian parents who have lived in Scotland for 50 years. He grew up in Bishopbriggs. He trained as a solicitor and worked at the Treasury Solicitor's Department. He had to go south to get a job as a MP. Scotland saw right through this pip squeak of a man.
He surely likes the sound of his own voice! Why does he think Ian Hislop should give a damn about who attends the meetings of his committee, or needs to write a set of instructions for them to follow? His analogy was garbage. How can an MP not just think to himself "How would this look to my constituents if the brown stuff hits the fan here?" Not a difficult question to answer, surely?
Ian Hislop and Private Eye journalists do the job that the rest of the MSM should be doing. They are the last bastion of proper reporting in the UK. Thank you Ian and colleagues.
@@hughjohns9110 It's not about sides, it's about some MPs being corrupt. It shouldn't be happening in any party. But you can't deny that the Tories - being the party of big business and incredibly wealthy individuals - are the lion's share of the lobbying/transparency problem.
@@samcooke343 that's neither here nor there, PE should be politically neutral or they won't have credibility when taking the Tories to task. Wether the Tories are the lion's share, maybe, I don't know, but they have spent far more time in power than Labour so it's hard to compare. However it doesn't matter, they all need to be under the spotlight. At the moment it's the Tories because they are in power. On the other hand, the Tories didn't take us into an unnecessary war just to gain popularity.
I can't sufficiently express how wonderful it is that there are journalists who work hard to help us all to have trust in the idea of greater levels of transparency around our politicians. This is an incredibly important subject. We vote for people to represent us, and don't have the means to buy their allegiance to get what resources in our communities that we desperately need; yet politicians have frequently be shown to profit from companies attempting to sway them towards benefiting them. We obviously need a system; a strong watch dog system that helps to keep them honest. We all know that people have their personal 'price' that can sway them, and that if they think it is undetectable, they are more likely to bend their ethics and think about their constituents as secondary to company favours. That is why we need the same checks, balances and consequences upon these politicians and their staff.
Watch our recent interview with Ian Hislop: th-cam.com/video/OylUquvFEz0/w-d-xo.html
Yeah had a good laugh at it. Cheers Joe. Keep it up.
GREED
all the love in the world boys & girls
can you not just post the full unedited session..?
As a manager in a utility energy distribution company in charge of projects, I have to repeatedly each year pass educational training courses on anti corruption and bribery, fair ethics in the work place, data protection and inclusiveness & anti bullying and anti bias against minorities.
1, I get the training and become fully educated on how to conduct myself while carrying my role,
2, I have to pass the same set of courses each year so there is no excuse for not knowing the relevant laws and rules.
3, if I break any of these rules and laws I am guilty bang to rights and fully accountable for my actions.
*I find it incredulous that anyone in government office is not required to do the same*
One of the funniest and best ideas I've heard is that politicians should wear jackets with their sponsors on like in formula 1, so we can really know who we're voting for, if they're not comfortable putting it on a jacket, then they shouldn't be taking the money.
It was the late Robin Williams who originally said this
That is an excellent idea
HAAAAAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA that would be so FUNNY.....YES....I think they should...I can picture it now.....
parliament would look like a snooker tournament
Perhaps the bigger the gift the bigger the logo.
Here's a crazy idea, how about banning MPs from receiving gifts? And banning them from second jobs? If they have time for a second job then frankly they aren't working hard enough for their £80k.
don't forget the other £200k they can claim on expenses
Let's ban them from breathing
I think politicians should be held to a much higher degree of disdain than they're currently held in; they're finding it all too easy to profiteer from being an MP. What is preventing anti-lobbying laws and the rules from actually being implemented, and why can't we currently get these law-breaking MPs out of power?
I think it's an affront to a democracy, since right now there is no easy way for an MP who breaks the rules to be put up to an election and lose the constituency. I would absolutely make that a law - break the rules (with evidence, I'm not a savage) and be set to metaphorically hang
Yup. Like anything over a certain value in literally any other job could be counted as a bribe, and could result in you losing your job. That's especially true if you have security clearance
@@thefreebooter8816 The degree of disdain is definitely there. In fact, the level of disdain is so high and fundamentally ingrained in the general public that most people have become completely apathetic in the entire democratic process. "Oh, the Tories are corrupt? Well, no surprise there. All the politicians are the same, so I'll keep voting for them anyway." If they actually bother to vote in the first place.
In a democracy, you won't see productive, unbiased and inspirational politicians if the general public keeps an extremely low bar for them. It's hard when the choices are so poor, but if more people cared, there would be better MPs.
Hislop is the most intelligent , literate and anti-corrupt person in the room - we need more like him . Remove lobbying & insider trading - Covid seems to have made MPs think they are invincible
Yes a great Liberal hero
I mean the sad thing is they're not even talking about removing lobbying but just being transparent about it and you can see how much push back even that faces from the mp's in the room.
Truly anti-corrupt people, NEVER feature endlessly on mainstream television, NO EXCEPTIONS! His role is to inspire hope - lap it up.
@@progressivedemagogue8480 I've never thought of Hislop as liberal or a Liberal. Small "c" conservative maybe.
@@progressivedemagogue8480 dunno bout that
Ian Hislop is a very intelligent and humorous and comes across as honest and genuine, it’s a great shame that the same can’t be said for all in parliament
Ian proving he is exactly the guy I think he is. Good man.
Great description 😅 He's done a Hislop
Here here
Sits on a moral high ground and a political satirist…yes indeed
Edited from the Press 2016 and 2022
Here in continental Europe, Johnson and his clown show have been kept well out of the Ukraine loop for safety. You may remember Johnson's candid photo at Stansted airport after seeming to have slept in the Easy Jet baggage hold, on his return from his fourth attendance at the oligarch's favorite son's drug addled 'Russian Bonga Bonga' style party in 2016 at Lebedev's palace, which is "so camera'd up that shots can be take from ten angles at a time for "extra clarity" in Perugia where "everything is on the menu" and according to MI5,6,7,8 and 9 "all who attend are compromised by Putin's dubious friends"
It appears that in the corridors of Brussels, they haven't forgotten either. "We don't want Johnson, the scruffy liar, to spill the beans again to Putin in exchange for a further delay in publishing the "Italian Party Pictures in HD" regarding our actions and our help in Ukraine" said Ursula to Šefčovič, in fluent Polish.
Yes...... But no.
Alberto Costa made a robust, did I say robust, say that again, robust... prat of himself. Did he think he was in court or just wanted to impress us with his legal credentials? Absolutely no match for Ian Hislop.
What an absolute tool
So many words, nothing said
hard to watch such moronic pomposity
Why is he not representing a Scottish constituency? Would you see an English man or woman in the Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly??
@@randyschwaggins Well he lives in England.
Well done Ian and friends There are MILLIONS behind you.
Millions 🙄
If only more of those millions bought Private Eye.
Ian Hislop is very great.
Millions? ? Is that you Diane Abbott?
The average English working class individual still seems to defer to the posh upper class (i.e. the tories) And the people that they defer to have absolutely no interest in the great unwashed. Doffing their hats is in their bloody genes! Revolt nowadays? So unfortunately, millions still want to be taken for fools and look up to their betters.
I'm glad we have people like Ian and his colleagues in the world. I wish we had more who could hold mps to account in this manner. Its a masterclass.
it really is. Him vs Patel was crazy
Alberto Costa succeeded in thoroughly embarrassing himself.
All he wants is for MPs to do what they want without any oversight. He's basically wanting them to be able to be as corrupt as they like.
The **** is he blathering about
The guy is a muppet...
Yup, limited time to ask a question and get an answer. So blathering idiot takes up time and twiddles his twaddle in minutiae
Robust
I’m a nurse, and anything beyond a box of chocolates for the team is either turned down or redirected through hospital management. We wouldn’t ever even consider taking a gift in exchange for, say, a side room for a patient. Would love to see these ethics being adopted by the people who run our country.
When I had to have a small operation in a day ward, I had a few there so I took them a tin of chocolate for the ward staff, it was in the COVID time, and it was to say thank you to all the staff who look after to me.
It wasn’t to gain favour, because they where brilliant without the gift.
All NHS staff are brilliant,
Thank you
So true, when I was nursing, about 20 years ago now , I had a patients relative insist on giving me £50 for just doing my job but he saw it as something special about the care I gave to his relative all in I kept trying to refuse but he was literally forcing it into my hands and would have gone all over the floor if I hadn’t taken it! It was made more challenging as there was a little language barrier with the patients family as well.
In the end, I spoke to the ward manager and it was agreed it would go into the ward fund which benefitted patients and we got someone to translate this for the family so they knew, agreed and signed just so there were no issues later.
@@sleepingbear1889 you have standards. MPs have no shame.
@SassySam
Thankyou, the Hardest thing for me becoming disabled, was having to stop work . I absolutely loved what I did and miss it. Despite what government s try to suggests, not everybody who is disabled , would rather not work. Even if I only made a small difference in a persons life that day by giving them a smile, explaining something they didn’t understand, or just freshening them up a bit. Many people who work in health care today, I struggle to see why they are doing their job sadly. Many talk about the stresses and they are not rewarded for doing their job and I understand to a point, but they seem to understand the rewards you can get from patients if you deserve and treat them with respect. When they make progress, or smile, or just knowing you are making a difference in peoples lives. That may seem glib to some people but I think it still matters. There are some amazing healthcare people around, but way too many who should find a different job because they simply don’t care and they treat their patients pretty awfully.
Sorry, my little soap box moment. Something I am passionate about wanting to improve somehow if I can.
@@sleepingbear1889 I am really pleased you had such a wonder and positive experience, but unfortunately not all are so lucky. I have been stuck in bed for over 3 years now with very little support because of nhs not being good where we are. There are an odd fantastic nurses , but an awful lot of issues which have had to go to ombudsman to be sorted out now sadly as you just go round and round in circles trying to get things resolved when they won’t even acknowledge an issue, but it is a good way of them not having to pay the care they should be I suppose for people. I think it may just sadly be this part of England so hopefully they are better up north, in my experience they are. When I have been a patient in London they are awesome. Time tomove I think…
It's reassuring that there are still people like Ian Hislop at the top of public life.
Really? I find him miserable and very smug.
@@1Thedairy good for you, we can agree to disagree. I'm sure that you're a fan of someone who some of us don't like, (probably Clarkson) but who really cares? 🤦♀️😂
@@1Thedairy He speaks truth to power. Unlike you.
@@1Thedairy there is often a fine line between smug and correct. Hislop AND his journalists have time and again been correct so often over many years.
@@1Thedairy Your comment has not been received very well.
Ian and his team really are a credit to journalism...
Superb work 👌🏻
It’s a shame the same cannot be said for the vast majority of the mainstream media and journalism.
Alberto Costa... a man who so obviously believes he's cleverer than he actually is
Ian took down his entire monologue in one short sentence. Brilliant.
Costa was trying so hard to be ‘robust’ he forgot his own point
He has the archetypal Glasgow Uni wanker voice
Yeap, he is so stupid he doesn’t know it.
Wouldn't trust him to wipe his own ass correctly
A pain in the hole
Alberto Costa sounds like a waffling manipulative fool. How on earth is he representing any constituent?!
Because they vote for a party, not a representative.
He's a lawyer - what do you expect!
@@SoYouThinkSo hahahaha you've got to be from his office mate, pasting this defence of Costa everywhere in this section. Go edit his wiki for flattery next (not that you can rely on that site for fact as the right hon costa once said), just make sure you've got your vpn on :)))
@@SoYouThinkSo i see you passed through the Alberta Costa school of Robust waffling with distinction
Sadly my MP
we are very lucky to have Ian Hislop fighting for our rights. Brilliant man
I like Ian Hislop. He simply tells it like it is. His frank approach and delivery tends to shock those whom are part of the "establishment". There are those whom have used the "system" to try to bring him down, but he ploughs on regardless. And good on him....
I'll second that!
Agreed! He’s always stuck his neck out.
That's a positive take. Why can't we have people fighting for our rights in political power?
Continuing the fight of the great Peter Cook don't forget.
Ian Hislop is one of the last bastions of hope in the Britain. God bless his excellent wit and zero-bullshit filter. He cuts through the reams of bull-shit like a hot knife through butter. I grew up with him on TV and miss him now I live abroad. Looking from the outside in at Englands sad state, it offers a glimmer of hope to know there are still people like Ian Hislop fighting for democracy and transparency.
He has always gave me hope hes seems like one of the few who went through the upper class system and didn't turn into a vampire or lizard person
Try Russell Brand's channel.
@@cottinghamcyclinggardener6822 Russell Brand used to give a shit, now he just grifts for viewership.
His shift to promoting anti-vax propaganda while pretending to be impartial no longer works.
Edited from the Press 2016 and 2022
Here in continental Europe, Johnson and his clown show have been kept well out of the Ukraine loop for safety. You may remember Johnson's candid photo at Stansted airport after seeming to have slept in the Easy Jet baggage hold, on his return from his fourth attendance at the oligarch's favorite son's drug addled 'Russian Bonga Bonga' style party in 2016 at Lebedev's palace, which is "so camera'd up that shots can be take from ten angles at a time for "extra clarity" in Perugia where "everything is on the menu" and according to MI5,6,7,8 and 9 "all who attend are compromised by Putin's dubious friends"
It appears that in the corridors of Brussels, they haven't forgotten either. "We don't want Johnson, the scruffy liar, to spill the beans again to Putin in exchange for a further delay in publishing the "Italian Party Pictures in HD" regarding our actions and our help in Ukraine" said Ursula to Šefčovič, in fluent Polish.
What I would really like to see is Ian Hislop on the Russel Brand podcast... maybe even Rogan after that.
I think he would make a great guest for both audiences.
Ian, as expected, did very well. Still, It saddens me to think that someone like Ian is needed, to sit there and state the obvious, in a room full of people acting like they are hearing something very complex and two-sided, something that will require a lot of thought and further discussion. No it isn't, and no it won't. Just do your bloody job already.
100%!!
At least, for once, the men across the table are men like Ian and his associates rather than just being one of their mates.
When you disregard the blindly obvious as a habit someone like Ian is a necessary person.
Manyui, well put! I particularly like the 'acting' reference. That's exactly what all MP's do until they get found out by overwhelming evidence against them. Total corruption across all parties in my opinion, the dirty side of politics!
*jeers in depressing agreeable tones like a tory backbencher*
"Its not an excuse its a fact." "Yes but you're using that fact as an excuse". Brilliant.
He skipped on past that one pretty quickly. 👍
No pulling the wool over his eyes 👍👍 good lad Hislop 👍
Fucking brutal, he tried to placate him so pathetically, and Hislop was unaffected.
I watched the whole video (only because it was at the end 😉) just because of the quote in your comment. Thank you as I liked it!!
It makes me sick!
They all know that they are taking the piss and getting away with it, and they certainly will carry on if they are given the slightest chance! 😡
We certainly need to hold these terrible people to account.
Thank you Ian and team.
Lawyers are the worst. They are literally the problem.
I'm a Canadian. In Canada, MPs cannot lobby while they are sitting, and are prohibited from doing so for a number of years afterward. I'm amazed that being an MP is not a full-time job in the UK; and especially that they are able to sell their influence.
I’m a Brit and It amazes me too: but then I remember that expecting people in power to make life harder for themselves would be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.
@@markharrison2484 I can only see a second job is acceptable IF and it's a very strong IF you have a job like a doctor where you have to do a certain number of hours and you use your holidays to do those hours
Well other than the prime ministers wife it seems. Justin Trudeau is happy to let his wife do the dirty work for him. He puts on a veneer of respectability whilst immersed in dirt!
I recall one MP stating "I have an awful lot of spare time on my hands". That's *code* for "come & see me some time. Tell me what's on yr mind". Now, obviously these lengthy periods of inactivity don't measure up to the HoL 'clock on, collect £300, go home' shenanigans, but what *are* they doing with this free time? In an age of threats of surveillance by the state, upon its citizens, shouldn't we simply turn the tables on them & just tag these blighters with tracking devices?.
@@markharrison2484 It doesn’t amaze me I honestly have no idea what they do I mean you get the big tv face and I am not sure what they do so what about you general town MP what are they doing they talk a lot of shite but what else are they doing I find this system irrelevant it needs big reforms
Must of been pissed when I written this makes no sense haha 👍😂
It’s actually unbelievable how badly all these MPs come across.
How terrible is Alberto Costa. Shames his fellow Scots.
@@RichardHunterGreenwich blew my mind. What an iredeemable shitbox of a human being, trying to cross examine people there in good faith to offer suggestions and information on corruption. Baffling.
@@jimmytumbles9640 they weren't there in good faith to offer suggestions and information. They were there to try and wriggle their way out of trouble
@@michaelharrison3602 he's talking about Hislop & Co.
@@RichardHunterGreenwich thats a right scottish name that!
Very well said, Ian. You are so right about the public being fed up with being taken for fools.
Sorry, you are just wrong. A very very large proportion of the English population will vote for them no matter what.
Only a few decent number of the public are fed up.
@@tariq_sharif Its a good point and true at every general election. The problem we (the public) have is that the political system is loaded against us. We get one opportunity every 5 years to vote for the same people wearing a different coloured tie and NOTHING changes. If the majority where not to vote, they would still get in! We need to get away from the club mentality of MPs. Give the public the real power to sack or de-select the bent ones. And using modern technology, let the people vote more.
@@mhappy01 maybe starting with PR? Elections are won and lost in a smaller section of seats. So many have been blue/red/yellow/orange for a long time with little chance of change. Some of my family live 50 miles away and outside the major city I live in and their view of their experiences are very different to mine (wrong obviously). They will only vote one way for the wrong reasons. It’s maddening.
Yeah all that Swiss bank account dodgearama, government project money gone missing thing. Terrible.
@@mhappy01 Tar them all with the same brush eh?
That's a tory tactic.
No.
This why Ian Hislop and the Private Eye is a beacon of British values and human decency
The amount of underhand lobbying going on is obscene. Hats off to Hislop and others working so hard to expose it.
funny how he will not expose it on his tv BBC Programmes utter fraud
@@bobblocker2812 probably because the BBC won't let him, since they're all in on it too
@@illomens2766 the bbc don’t lobby, they are just scared of losing their tv license fees, and the head of the bbc is appointed by the current government, why? Who knows smells bad .
@@bobblocker2812 A whole 14 words. That must’ve been quite an achievement for you. And it *almost* made sense!
@@bobblocker2812 PR bot :) A bit obvious.
So so grateful for Ian hislop!!! So so glad he's going after this corruption.
His magazine calls out corruption, hubris & stupidity in public life every fortnight.
"If you won't publish the minutes of the meeting, don't take the job" - that's it, in a nutshell, regarding lobbying.
Or better still do the job the country elected you to do. Restrictions for 5 years afterwards for working for companies lobbying Parliament.
@@ronnieroo227 - Then you just allow them to enter the realm of arguing about "what is lobbying?", it needs to be if you are an MP your job is representing your constituents, not taking any money from anyone or any company period.
just imagine what a more horrible world we would live in without Ian Hislop and compatriots. Keep up the good work.
If MPs need to be told what the rules are for lobbying etc, then they need an induction. I think they have one. They also have civil servants to help them. THEY HAVE NO EXCUSES.
30 years to old to understand well fucking Go!!!!
Indeed. The idea that Owen Paterson or many of his fellow MP’s didn’t think, or understand, that he had broken the rules is unfuckingbelieveable. The fact of the matter is that the corruption runs so deep, and is so normalised, they simply think this is the way liberal democracy functions.
They do have an excuse. It's called 'honest intent', and it seems that it was written in to law to serve as a crash barrier for progress against corruption.
If there is any question about a person's Social Security Benefits, the DWP will immediately stop all payments while they investigate. If they conclude someone's obtained Benefits that they're not entitled to, whether by their own or the DWP's mistake, the DWP will make them pay back every penny. If they're found to have deliberately defrauded the system, they will also face criminal prosecution. Those are the rules for the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. Why shouldn't MPs face an equivalent system?
When I see Jenkin I always think of a slime ball,in a western movie he would have been dispatched!!!
As a scotsman can I just say that we dont generally use the word " robust" 5 times in 1 sentence... Alberto Costa was loving that word
A lawyer once used "Robust" to me as a treat over a case. He lost the case and I won.
So I was MORE ROBUST! Fucking lawyers!
What an utter belllend that guy is.
It's a very robust responce you've given there sir.
There's too much South in the man for my liking. The wee scallywag may've gone a touch soft.
@@clymdodds1020 As someone from the South (West): the use of "robust" was also puzzling!
There needs to be consequences. Criminal charges and full prosecution.
@@yyy-875
There was a time when the Trade Unions through *ACAS* Would Sit down with the CBI and the Government and Discuss Pay and Conditions.
🇮🇪🇪🇺🤔
Like the drug dealers that go down for possession with intent for a few grams of weed.
Ian Hislop is just the best. Pity he didn't go in to politics.
Yes, exactly what I was thinking.
Consequences, there are none for the poltical class (and police) but there are for all the rest of us.
Traitors all from top to bottom.
Simple solution in less than 4 minuets th-cam.com/video/MOTWkQZKELU/w-d-xo.html all it needs is for enough to take responsibility by showing their support and things are put right. Plain and simple.
Or you can ignore the fact they are traitors, and do nothing but wing and moan, and continue to fund them with your taxes?
I have full respect for Ian Hislop, his team and the excellent work they do. If just 1% of MP's shared his integrity our country wouldn't be on it's arse.
im sickened as ever that lobbying is still legal when it's plain for ANYONE to see that it's bribery.
The problem is we're governed by a set of numpties who rely on outside specialists to know which way is up.
Agreed, totally insane to me it's so openly used in America too. Even though money is always going to break conflict of interest for the area the government is supposed to serve and that's the public.
This whole thing falls apart when the MPs are saying they need training on interpreting the rules they're creating.
Such hollow excuses -- i've worked in both public and private sector, heavily regulated industries ... i'm not a high ranking person in any company i worked... just one of the workers, i don;'t make decisions or have any influence into purchasing or major company trajectory -- but even i'm not permitted and have to seek approval for any perk above around a £25 value.
We're drilled into us about how even an give of around £100 value should be questioned as to why ..... we take courses annually mandatorily on this stuff... but yeah .. MP's don't think it's so important that a multi-billion pound company gives away a highly sought after world-cup ticket for "nothing" .... it's never for nothing or just to be friendly ... it's investment for the company ...but MP's claim to not understand this ... pull the other one .... more gaslighting by MP's towards the population
It doesn’t help when the prime minister says that they didn’t know something was against the rules that they created, because nobody told them 😅
@@highlightshadow THIS! we used to get boxes of chocs appear in the office, it would be because a random supplier had sent them with latest delivery of paper or something.. But the staff in purchases weren't allowed to take them." just in case ". So they'd get sent round the office.
Thats the mentality many companies have to work in. So why are mp's allowed to take 1500 quid trips and not have to be more explicit ? They're not that naïve.
The sad fact is the US system of lobbying by companies for personal interests has been happening in the UK. Watch the Aljazeera documentary on Israeli lobby and their episode the Takedown ie taking down a list of Mps who speak against Israel and speak up for Palestinians. Also boasting how they provide the script for how the issue should be addressed etc. The other most recent are contracts being awarded to friends, family of serving ministers with no checks.
Westminster: "Bribery is bad. Let's agree not to accept brides."
Also Westminster: "These rules are so confusing! What exactly is 'bribery' anyway?"
Jesus Christ, Alberto Costa has to be one of the fluffiest and boring questioners in history. Whatever Kinder Egg law credentials he’s got aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. He totally embarrassed himself here!
I am gobsmacked, this is up there with Prince Andrew's interview for lack of self awareness.
Classic Dunning-Kruger effect. He's at the peak of mount stupid. Hopefully Ian knocked him towards the valley of despair.
Do a shot every time he says 'robust'
He thinks he's in a court room. One boring bastard
@@mrbtapir Can t. I would get alcohol poisoning.
We all knew the corruption was bad. I didn't think it would be this bear faced, cringe worthy and unapologetic. The moment when the Private Eye Journo's ask them to write a brief description as to why they accept thousand pound gifts and they look around and chuckle as if its the most insane idea ever made me realise it's a lot worse than we thought.
It's always been like this, it's just on film and accessible now
just for your ref - "bear faced" refers to someone who looks like a bear or has the face of a bear - i am pretty sure you meant barefaced :)
@@zu438 thank you
Its the glib way they respond, deflecting accountability by claiming they only focus on "the Process and Procedures" and that is the reason why Corporations and self interested, interest groups buy Politicians Wholesale through Lobbying, while going entirely and conveniently unacknowledged or even noticed by the beneficiaries of said corruption, even if that's obviously at everyone else's expense in the long run. They then proceed to summarize shinning a light on their Classes corruption with some glib statement like "Because you love Democracy" . . . Incredibly insulting.
@@scandalasdog the embarrassing flattery employed, the cringe worthy defense of I'm too old to use tech and the stories that wander into nothingness. THIS is the committee that is meant to be looking into the lobbying. They look like they've been trained BY lobbyists
Im so grateful for Ian, Richard and Solomon. These MP's are horrible to watch.
Alberto Costa is the one guy in every meeting you let warble for 5 minutes then promptly disregard what they said and move on. The man's a fool.
He's just deliberately wasting time with his "robust" and "process"
Bullshitter.
People actually voted for this clown, unbelievable.
That guy was waffling alot of shite, absolute twat
I felt Ian’s and his colleagues frustration. They represented the general public against this wall of doublespeak. How can you change a system when the people who create the rules are like this?
I am gobsmacked, this is up there with Prince Andrew's interview for lack of self awareness.
It’s clear they haven’t got a clue. “What should I have said when Heineken offered me the ticket?“ Well, how about “no thank you”
I wish Ian and his colleagues hadn't danced around the key point and just come out and said it though. These companies are paying MP's to sway votes. He kind of alluded it to by referencing the industries. But still.
Yes. You are right : 'doublespeak' ... is rampant
@@dharmaqueen I doubt if it's a lack of self awareness, but more likely down and out lies 🤥
After watching this, I came away thinking that those MPs aren't fit for office, and that Ian Hislop should get the job of ridding us of them.
Ian is a legend. We need more people like this at the top of politics.
It is hilarious and terrifying how MPs tried to use this session to discuss/argue their own personal points. Good on Ian for not backing down
It really feels like a kid talking to a teacher about why his homework wasn't done, when the teacher is just asking 'Did everybody do their homework?'.
That bloody waffling Tory at 16:00 did my bloody head in.
@@piccalillipit9211 "Take the emotion out of it; I'm only interested in process" [later on] "But ohhhh, my employee worked soooo haaardd..."
@@thejoin4687 - I KNOW...!!! Oh he worked so hard, did he do 14 hours in an A&E department in a black bin bag and 3 day old mask??? NO - shut up.
They're just waiting time. They're all corrupt
Way to go Private Eye! True journalism indeed. Everyone is behind you!
I heard that Private Eye is the most popular magazine in the House of Commons library. I wonder who reads it......
@@christopherbarnett5554 all of them, to hear the dirt on everyone. Forewarned is forearmed
How on earth do MPs think it is OK to have such conflict of interests? Well done Ian for pointing out the bleeding obvious to the apparently hard of thinking.
Because they can. Simple. It's a big club and you're not invited to it. Also, they have the mandate because the people elect them.
You must want them to behave like that or you wouldn't vote for them.
Great stuff!! Watching from the states and I have to tell you that this is what's currently going on with our Supreme Court. A justice and his wife are gifted a half-million dollar trip from an individual with ties to a political organization and the justice is allowed to say it was just hospitality so I didn't feel the need to list it. Come on. So to listen to these MP's get into the minutiae over whether or not to describe gifts in a line or a paragraph just makes my head explode. Again, great work!
If anyone in the country deserves a knighthood, it's Ian Hislop. He's dedicated his life to holding the government to account as best he can, and this video clearly shows the value that his intellect has for the country when put up againt elected officials that in their own words "were born savages that need morals explaining to them"
The government is not going to reward someone for holding the government to account!
@@ganymede242 the Queen should :-)
Yes, their disdane for Mr Hislop was palpable, and Ian's exasperation was painful to watch and I say that because the audience on here is World wide and they get to see a bunch of crooks are running the UK, it's embarrassing!
Lol. Deluded.
He would most likely turn it down. Unbelievable.
I am gobsmacked, this is up there with Prince Andrew's interview for lack of self awareness.
That MP Alberto Costa... christ, you could see right through him. He tried to flatter Hislop, pretended that they were on the same side, then tried to confuse Hislop with a convoluted analogy in order to trap him in a contrary position, then tried to over explain something that should be simple to explain. A total manipulator, and a bad one at that.
Awful stuff and the man has a 24000 majority 🙄
Costa sychophant and timewaster
Ian had him sussed out from the start, beautifully done
It wasn't a robust line of enquiry.
Tell me you used to be a lawyer without telling me you used to be a lawyer...
Excellent responses from the Private Eye team. It's not that complicated really. Every MP should be required to publish an annual report of their attendance, voting record, surgeries and - crucially - other income and interests. How much they receive, what for, and what they actually did. Also how many hours and days they spent working for these other interests. We also need a fully independent standards commission with legal powers of sanction even to the extent of recommending recall of an elected member.
Only issue with that is with the surgeries as that could breach data protection regulations (emphasis on “could”). Voting records are also public knowledge anyway from what I gather.
yup
Gets my vote.
Mmmm …. Accountability? It’ll never catch on with the rich and powerful.
No fuck that.
Just fucking make lobbying and second jobs illegal. No MP should be doing any of that shit.
Stop fucking messing around with debate and process, just fucking ban it. Simple.
Ian Hislop is an amazing orator. Straight to to the point, without pulling any punches
Incredibly disappointing that in this day and age Mr. Hislop should have to point out to supposedly well-educated MPs that a company that pays an MP or offers hospitality or does, in other ways, an MP a favour is expecting something in return! The whole of the civil service has to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, not just an actual conflict. As a start, every MP should have to abide by the civil service code and do exactly as Ian Hislop detailed ie provided explanations as to the reason for their employment and hospitality, etc on each and every occasion. Being an MP and especially a minister is the biggest gravy train going and its time it was derailed.
I think allot of MPs really believe that they are being hired due to their brilliance, not for the influence and access they have.
They are incredibly deluded.
Back in my Civil Service days, a handful of times I received a small token as a thank you gift from ordinary members of the public. Each and every time, I had to send them back along with a letter thanking them and explaining why I couldn't accept their gift.
We live under the misnomer that MP's are in some way clever, professional people. They are not. They are narcissists/sociopaths/ etc who went to the right school and are good at self-promotion.
Oh god the idea that the lawyer couldn't see the problem with freebie football tickets is nuts. I've worked in minimum wage jobs where I wasn't allowed to take tips, MPs get a fortune, they should pay their own way. No second jobs, no kickbacks, no freebies
Would also be good to cap political donations, have complete transparency around who is giving which party what and when and (this one is slightly trickier) have MPs held to a much more stringent standard of behaviour so the job doesn’t attract people who are into shady shit so they can’t easily be blackmailed.
Absolutely. As a nurse, there is no ambiguity about things. The professional body has recently said, "...all nurses and midwives must refuse all but the most trivial gifts, favours and hospitality. We would suggest that £50 is not a ‘trivial’ sum..." In other words, even £50 - let alone a ticket worth hundreds of £££ - would mean getting struck off. The fact that Committee member seemed to take pride in his role, yet struggled with the concept is very telling
I used to work for an electronics manufacturer. Every engineer had to take a remote learning course on ethics - anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, etc. The main message was "if it looks fishy or abusive to you, here's how to blow the whistle". It took an hour or so, and we had to take refreshers every other year if I recall correctly. I'm not sure it made all that much difference, but at least they tried.
Surprisingly naive lawyer 🤦🏻♂️
I worked in a supermarket as a student. I did the job bloody well. But it was certainly made clear to us that we couldn't accept tips or gifts or a percy pig from the bag of sweets they'd paid for. And why? Because it looks corrupt. If we're seen pocketing a customers fiver, or eating the produce it looks bad, even if it was totally innocent and legal and done purely out of the customer's generosity. This looks bad for MPs and bad for the institution they represent.
Watching the politicians sit there acting like this is complicated was infuriating
Sad thing is it is complicated for them to understand.
Exactly. If they don't know it's wrong, they shouldn't be allowed to continue in their role.
And they wonder why they are held in such low esteem by the general public.If you are an MP that should be your sole source of income.
@@folkme3042 Of course they don't wonder that, we're the wonderers
Ian Hislop is amazing. He really says what needs to be said and does not care about ruffling feathers. In this video, he is surrounded by some of the slimiest characters thinking they are smarter than him, but he always trumps them with solid facts.
How utterly embarrassing to think these people police anything, worse still that they represent us...
it's a game of charades, always has been. in my op.
They're politicians, so by definition they represent themselves and no-one else! Their key skill is persuading others to allow them power...
Douglas Adams got right with his comedic description of the galactic presidents' role and why they have no real power! The last type of person who should be allowed any influence over others, are the people who can influence others to allow them to have this power.
I am trying to imagine working in the same room as this Costa . It would be an extremely unpleasant, nausiating experience. What a ghastly sycophantic fellow. Jenkins not much better. What hope is there?
Now think what the people who vote for them must be like.
They can’t police when they are taking themselves.
Absolutely perfect from Ian Hislop! Complete transparency and so direct in his answers that it's like he IS the voice of us, the public!!
Not all, I'm afraid. There are those that are way too down the rabbit hole to hear the voice of reason.
Yes, he sounds like an official opposition to the government, or at least, how it should.
Political satire magazine has to teach MPs about morality and integrity. Fuck my life.
Yes, and why do we need a satire magazine to tell us the real news?
^^^ this, 100% this.
Ridiculous isn't it.
Agreed.
Private Eye is part political satire part investigative journalism...
This is a smashing edit of this committee session. Well done. It's very entertaining indeed and not something I would've seen otherwise. Great work, I'll be subscribing.
He's a national treasure at this point.
Can't get over these MPs playing dumb and acting like they have the moral intuition of children, who need to be expressly told NOT to do something to realise it's corrupt.
What's even more ridiculous is it's these same MPs who believe in deregulation, that we can trust businesses not to do bad things if we remove the rules stopping them.
Most children have far better moral intuition. Those that don't - seven times out of ten you are looking at a development disorder. Immorality and unethical behaviours are learned; more often than not, taught; behaviours.
Total!
Looks like you are nipping this in the bud and that is a very good thing! Here in the US this looks like very small potatoes! The corruption in our government is all encompassing. The revolving doors and dark money is rampant on both sides and seems almost unstoppable. We do have Bernie Sanders and more and more progressives are being voted in to congress every voting cycle, so I do have hope.
@21.48 For someone with such a strict rule on accepting gifts, Alberto "I NEVER accept hospitality... and I didn't" Costa and his staff seemed to be in a hopeless moral quandary when faced with Heineken's offer of a couple of football tickets.
It should be illegal for MP’s to have second jobs - period. Either serve the public fully or not at all
Indeed. They get paid 3-4 times as much as most average people, so they don't need more money.
I fundamentally agree. My MP should be too busy to have time for a second job. I work for the government for about a third of an MP salary an I certainly am.
I think they should have second jobs. But not the ones they want. 4hrs a week as a hospital porter, a rubbish collector, a bus driver, a supermarket assistant. Anything that will actually give them a clue as to what real life is like outside those walls.
@@jaynbob42 That's actually a good idea, they should have to experience work. Not some cushy do nothing consultancy, actual work to give real perspective.
@@jod125 how else can they afford their mansions, nannies, boats etc.
Is Ian doing the questioning or is he the one being questioned- the double talk was monstrous- well done Ian - you coped well amongst a pit of snakes.
These types of committees often bring in journalists or watchdogs to give advice on matters like this. They are in a less formal setting, as you see, with a less formal format. Basically, the most formal informal conversation in the country.
Go Ian !
I worked at a local authority for many years, and once put in 25 hours of my own time over the course of a month, to help a member of the public resolve an issue with regard to probate on their mother's property. They were grateful and bought me a little hamper with some biscuits and sweet treats... but it felt like more work just correctly declaring the gift, after various forms had been filled out, photographs taken and statements given (from both myself and the gift giver) all for some cheese and crackers!! How these MPs working for the very same government get away with accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts without so much a second thought is nothing short of criminal.
Did these MP's not realize this committee was going to be broadcast to the general public? and that they would come across as complete and total tools?
total fannies
They're simply so spoilt that they don't understand
They don't know how to be anything different.
It is quite staggering, and I am only 6 minutes into this, that it needs Hislop to explain to MP's what is, and is not dishonest. MP's are supposed to have the highest standard of behaviour and sadly they don't even seem to understand what is honest.
The Right Honorable Oxymoron
indeed and then the bizarre questions about technology. You don't need tech to know when your hand is in the till.
They do understand, they just don't want to stop being as corrupt as possible. They love taking bribes.
Well said.
What you always have to ask yourself is why would a wealthy individual (they nearly always are) seek to become a Tory MP?
I recently retired from a civil service job. The rules we had to follow are some of the strictest and if we broke them at all we were out. MPs are civil servants. Why can't they have repercussions for their transgressions?
This sends a bad message to hard working, honest government workers.
Because they think they are above it. Power breeds corruption and contempt of the rules that we all have to follow.
I don't understand the position of the civil servants working in number10/cabinet office, because surely when they saw issues they had a duty to report them. So , assuming people did, what happened? And if they didn't why not?
I worked in gaming, the ENDLESS explanations about what was legal and what wasn't (like is briefly mentioned about financial) , its mind blowing mp's can claim they didn't know.
As mentioned above, most of these MPs think they're above the rules. The fact that they are ultimately publically elected civil servants seems to be completely lost on them. It just highlights what is wrong with the electoral system and how it creates "safe seats".
Just look into how USA Congress have made personal millions over the last year alone due to insider trading, a loophole in a law. Completely wrong. We can't have that or anything like it in UK government.
@@tonyppe It's been like that for years in the UK. Not as blatant as the US but it's always been there.
Not only are they corrupt, but they imply that people in all walks of life are just as corrupt. Bottomless arrogance.
They should all be kick out they make me sick
"It is pretty much who you think it will be, and they're doing what you think they're doing." Succinctly put, Ian.
Thank goodness for Mr Ian Hislop and his team. Honesty is something government doesn't even begin to comprehend.
And why do you think he isn't a politician? Do you not see what his role is in this play that is public life? He enjoys the fame, kudos, and rich rewards for playing the smart arse and mocking the corrupt politicians but does he actually make the world a better place for all his intellect, education, and personal magnetism? No he doesn't - because he's genuinely NOT BOTHERED ENOUGH to make any such effort. He could easily win a seat as an MP just on his fame alone. Yet if he did he'd have to prove himself better than the corrupt politicians - and he knows this well. So what can we conclude from his failure to become a politician (in order to actually do something about all the 'awful' corruption that he's always banging on about)? We can only conclude that he's quite happy making a living off the backs of the corrupt. It's impossible to imagine that he hasn't actually thought of this himself or, god forbid he hasn't, that someone else hasn't thought of it and put it to him. So he's just an actor pretending to be outraged but really raking the money in and laughing all the way to the bank. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he'd been invited numerous times to be on one of the boards of one of the big companies that get government contracts.
@@KeldorDAntrell I'm not sure you appreciate Ian Hislop's continued battle against lies and corruption despite being sued by the rich and powerful on a regular basis - he's one of the good guys !!
@@KeldorDAntrell This really is one of the most impressive displays of absolute nonsense I've ever seen.
You don't have to be an MP to expose corruption and demand that it's eradicated, in fact you're probably worse off being an MP if that's your goal. This video alone will do more damage to the corrupt politicians than any one MP attempting altruism in parliament and being either ignored or actively shunned.
"does he actually make the world a better place for all his intellect, education, and personal magnetism?" - from this video alone, yes.
@@jackdavies9652 will it do more damage? You wait and see. How old are you? 20? If so that would explain your naivety.
Some of us have lived long enough to have seen this sort of shit again and again and *nothing* ever happens. So try switching your brain on and considering this fact.
I've assumed you're very young because I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. If you're as old as I am, then you must be a cretin, in which case the conversation is definitely over.
As to your claim that being an MP would be detrimental to exposing and ending political corruption, for god's sake please make an attempt at a proper argument. One does not merely make a claim and leave it at that as if having said a thing makes it so. That's *not* how intelligent people conduct arguments. One must *explain* how one's argument makes sense.
Since it is *only* politicians that make laws, it can *only* be through political legislation that corruption can be ended. Do you not understand this? Political commentators can *draw attention* to political corruption, point out loop holes in the law that allow unethical practices, etc. but they *cannot* - *CANNOT* do anything to change matters because they have no *power* to do make the corruption illegal; and if a politician is exposed as having broken the law (and they are usually much to savvy to do this) their political allies can create smokescreens, their cronies in the media can do the same or muck-sling to create another target for public criticism, or even simple evade the law with the *precise type of prattle that these stuffed shirts on this panel have done* .
Now, please reassess your reply to me taking into account the facts that I *have* explained the rationale behind my argument and you *have not* . Then maybe you can try again and demonstrate some debating skill and intelligence. Or just fuck off.
@@KeldorDAntrell Congratulations, you've managed to master copy and paste. Well done you.
I’m a town planner, and planners aren’t even ALLOWED to accept any gifts/remuneration from members of the public, for the obvious reason that there could be a perceived conflict of interest.
But of course nobody expects MPs to abide by the same rules, ethics and blindingly obvious guidelines that most of the rest of us do.
you mean like Liz Truss being given £100k by BP just before refusing to tax their vast excess profits to help the poor?
Same throughout all departments within councils, no gifts allowed. Why should MPs be any different? It stinks.They end up representing the needs of big businesses rather than the electorate they are paid to serve.
I work with Town Planners and this is 100% correct. Why financial manipulations are forbidden beyond the walls of the Houses of Parliament is beyond me.
@@jameshansing5396 £100k? Goddamn they're easy to buy...
@@MrGrifft every little helps. That’s just the official donation ;)
I would ban MPs from taking second jobs or receiving any gifts.
Even in a committee to discuss the issue, politicians were trying to excuse their behaviour. Why is it that they cannot see, or I should say, refuse to see, that companies and rich individuals do not give gifts and jobs to politicians without wanting quid pro quo.
The problem is a simple one and has simple solution. By accepting these gifts, they are compromised. Why not simply stop it?
Because the majority of them were told from a very early age that they were born to rule and to do everything they can to help influence the rules. The curriculum at Eton is a lot different to a standard government funded school...
Oh they see it alright, just denying to protect their current self or future self...
@@archiprintuk1149 Absolutely
They are all career politicians who *want as little regulatory control over their revolving door
As would happen in all reputable businesses! Gifts / emoluments are not acceptable and any transgressions would generally lead to disciplinary action likely dismissal - bring that in for politicians and it stops overnight!
All this utter waste of time used on corruption can be sorted in 1 rule. No second jobs or interests of any kind in businesses. Simple.
And then the MPs have the nerve to give themselves payrises and all
To simple and honest...😂!!! Ciao
awww, but how can an MP survive on only a pittence of £81,932 per year (expenses excluded) (£1,575 per week), they need their seconds jobs in order to make ends meet and employ the gardener in their second or third homes in the countryside.
@@mh1593 maybe crowfunding....!!? Ciao
@@dnyhan tax rates have gone down under the Tories for that type of income, and if both parents are earning that is a ridiculously lavish income even with your South East childcare and mortgage factored in. You forgot about the private school fees though in your analysis, absolutely vital.
This is very depressing to watch. To call Alberto Costa et al a clown is insulting to hard working clowns.
He seems as dodgy as a 3 quid note
Person like Ian Hislop is needed in every country.
They tell us "ignorance of the law" is no excuse, but MPs simply "dont realise" they are breaking their own rules. Double standards maybe???
A lawyer who needs to be told how accountability works is painful
I know. That was jaw dropping! A committee member who saw nothing wrong in taking a gift because it went to a 'hard working' member of staff! So that's ok then in his books.
@@bettys9674 Yes indeed; and with a not insignificant amount of passive aggressiveness thrown-in. Even if he did try to dress it up in a super-smarmy “I’d love to hear your opinion” slant.
Absolutely no clue what he was on about. I thought he was an Armando Ianucci character.
@@albionic9686 it was interesting seeing him have a 5 hour setup so he could say some stuff makes me uncomfortable.
Agree. Out of all of the footage, this is the bit that made me laugh. "I took your £10k (or what ever it was) gift and gave it to my mate Dave because he works so hard. What is wrong with that??" It just makes you realise even more how either thick or completely detached from reality these people are.
What’s immediately apparent is that Messrs Hislop, Hughes and Brooks are all a damn sight more intelligent than the people on the committee. Anyone else get the impression that the committee members didn’t actually listen to what was being said and that they still can’t see what the problem is? No wonder the levels of trust in public life are at such a low point.
Yet people keep voting for the same MPs again and again, It called democracy.
I like the way they couldn’t see anything wrong in their own behaviour and the examples that they gave. Just no self awareness.
@@favesongslist My issue with this comment is that people don't get to choose which MP represents their constituency - that is the business of the parliamentary party. It is in the parties interests to elect people into power who tow the party line and who cow-tow to the interest of their donors and their senior officials. When people vote, they vote for party rather than MP in most constituencies. You could argue that people ought to vote for independents or the opposition, but that neglects the first past the post reality and peoples preferences regarding policy of the party they're voting for. People may well want a Conservative or Labour government, but they may despise their MP - But what are they to do when they have no say over which MP that party puts forward?
@@kawallabair3216 I agree with you. Yet surely this misses the true point, it is better to have an upright MP regardless of Party. Many people vote for the party without any care who they actually elect to represent them. In the not so distant past the Party name was not allowed on the Ballot Paper, So at least you had to know the name of the MP. You rightly point out is that almost no one will vote for an independent or even a small party; however good the candidate is. People care about Money and Jobs yet blindly vote for a party. Many vote a Party on who may or may not become the PM, yet that is the also just the business of the parliamentary party. Party politics and so called 'Tactical voting' is destroying democracy, yet again that is the choice of voters. At the end of the day We deserve who we vote for.
@G M Yep. And they keep on getting elected back in, their voters love their party so much they do not often care who acutely represents them in parliament.
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for MPs, civil servants, ministers , advisors , or anyone else involved in government, national or local, to be receiving any hospitality , gifts, entertainment, restaurant meals, orexpensive freebees of any sort. Why can't they be like doctors? They can get a cheap biro or a post it pad from the drug company and that's it.
If government officials need to meet with members of a company to discuss procurement or contracts let them do so at a properly minuted meeting at an official office, not at Wembley stadium, Newmarket or a fancy restaurant.
Mr Jenkin embarrassed himself with that performance. At least television exposes his desire to not have rules policed. It really is quite simple.
Jenkin is one of those guys that think they are oh so clever, but every time he opens his mouth he proves he isnt.
He's always been a pompous prick and wrong on almost everything.
even worse having him as our MP, the tosser
Ian knows what he is talking about. Top man.
When comedy becomes serious, or the serious becomes comedy. Thank you, Ian Hislop and your team, for integral journalism.
“Integral journalism” that’s never changed anything.
Thank the gods for people like Ian Hislop, I doubt it will be enough, but good work Ian.
It's so refreshing to see someone talking so directly and frankly as Ian does here. No double speak, no legalese subterfuge. He's just like you know what you're doing, we know what you're doing, drop the fucking charade. I love it.
Also, he's right, the concepts of bribery and corruption are not that difficult to understand, who has the nerve to claim they had no idea?
Ian Hislop .. top guy, always straight to the point and just says what he sees. Let’s vote Ian in as our PM.
He is too honest to be one
@@london_james yes Ian is too honest, unlike all our politicians and government who promise us the Earth to get to where they want, then lie to us and turn there backs on us once they’ve achieved that goal.
He'd never stand...
The sense of self-entitlement from these MPs is depressing.
Extraordinary. Thank you very much for posting this.
Lobbying is just a polite and politically correct way of saying bribed.
@@hannahreynolds7611 a couple of good eggs in a dozen doesn't make a good batch. We all have known for years the corruption involved.
@Fire Starter hard to argue with tbh
Keep going, Ian. There are millions who support you and your drive for high standards.
Thanks mate
Watching from Spain: people like Alberto Costa are precisely the problem with modern parlimentarians in the world today. He does not seems to understand that accepting a gift from a company apparently for "no" reason isn't a problem, and can be accepted. Clearly Heineken have so much much money to spare that they are dishing out gifts and not requiring anything in return.
The UK was always held as a system with very little corruption compared to mine, but it does seem that the UK corruption is very much under the radar and out of most people's earshot.
I have to say he came across as a smarmy Jock wanker. Properly supercilious.
Yet he thought he was dong it the correct way until the chairman gently upbraided him.
Yeah Costa stood out for me too. The only people his tired schtick will befuddle are other MPs and only then because they're eager to have any sort of explanation that pins blame on the 'process' as opposed to their own naked greed and corruption.
Business gifts are given either to thank/reward past services or as was said in the Godfather because ‘one day I might need a favour’. Simple really.
Costa was clearly trying to catch Ian in a verbal trap early on. That is not the sort of thing he falls for.
@@PhilbyFavourites Costa is a dick but don't use Jock as slander.
I live in South Africa, where we have a hugely corrupt government and civil service. I have always looked up to the UK establishment as having the highest ethics, but to hear politicians ask for guidance on what is blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain is actually rather depressing.
I'm so sick of MPs writing off corruption as incompetence or not knowing any better
The sense of entitlement exuding from this committee says it all.
I think it oozes from the pore of anybody who went thru eton/harrow/oxbridge and works in Westminster. Its endemic. Dyou ever wonder if Guy Fawkes had it right several hundred years ago? Lol
@Eli OberoN No, unfortunately he failed.
@@supremebuffalo6322 a millenial parliament wouldn't be able to debate anything without trigger warnings
@@simazar what about striking a healthy balance? Not everyone who isn't an entitled oxbridge alum is necessarily a millennial 😂
@@iriscollins7583 I never could understand why we celebrate the fact that Guidio Fawkes never managed to do it.
It is truly jaw-dropping to see these MPs being willfully blind to the fact that the receipt of money and gifts is corruption pure and simple.
Absolutely. They act like it's all about not hurting the feefees of fellow club members.
Greed
The Beetle's song "piggies" written 50 years ago keeps coming to mind.
"To eat their BACON!"
th-cam.com/video/t0nzZ8-kIf0/w-d-xo.html
They could understand it perfectly of you or me got a gift valued at over a grand...🤔🤔🤔 funny that isn't it
Private Eye is a national institution. These guys are heroes in my book.
This is why ive always loved ian he just calls them out on this obvious bullshit to the point there replys are getting childish.
True. Ian for the Prime Minister !!!
@@annaholley8913 god i wish but i get the feeling somebody like that who would rock the boat so to speak and change things forever, something would mysteriously go wrong i usually hate conspiracy theory bullshit but its not as if it hasn't happened before
@@dun0790 Agree.
I think however we need a big shake up in our political establishment circles. Have a good evening.
@@annaholley8913 kick some of the capitalism out of our democracy in my opinion and good evening to you too
@@dun0790 There are extremely rich people who would prevent that from happening... at any cost.
Corruption behind a laugh. He was only having a larf, mate.
I'd like to have seen Paul Merton, Angus Daeton and Boris Johnson there as well. Just like the good old days. If only they could have then see themselves now...!
@@nathanaelsmith3553 "Is it 'Norman Lamont'?
Now you can see why Alberto Costa was booted out by Scotland. Costa was born to Italian parents who have lived in Scotland for 50 years. He grew up in Bishopbriggs. He trained as a solicitor and worked at the Treasury Solicitor's Department. He had to go south to get a job as a MP. Scotland saw right through this pip squeak of a man.
i was just going to say the exact same !
He's as smug AF!
@@alasdairduncan3796 Just another cap doffing Scot. Hearing him whine in WM is just embarressing.
He could never be accused of brevity.
He surely likes the sound of his own voice! Why does he think Ian Hislop should give a damn about who attends the meetings of his committee, or needs to write a set of instructions for them to follow? His analogy was garbage. How can an MP not just think to himself "How would this look to my constituents if the brown stuff hits the fan here?" Not a difficult question to answer, surely?
Ian is giving a straightforward and very clear argument. No ambiguity in his reasoning. And yet, the MPs don’t want to let go of their gifts
Ian Hislop and Private Eye journalists do the job that the rest of the MSM should be doing. They are the last bastion of proper reporting in the UK. Thank you Ian and colleagues.
Yes, pity they couldn't keep Private Eye politically neutral.
@@hughjohns9110 it is as neutral as you could possibly get 'Stevo'
@@hughjohns9110 It's not about sides, it's about some MPs being corrupt. It shouldn't be happening in any party. But you can't deny that the Tories - being the party of big business and incredibly wealthy individuals - are the lion's share of the lobbying/transparency problem.
@@samhainault3033 you are bound to think that if your political leaning is the same as theirs.
@@samcooke343 that's neither here nor there, PE should be politically neutral or they won't have credibility when taking the Tories to task.
Wether the Tories are the lion's share, maybe, I don't know, but they have spent far more time in power than Labour so it's hard to compare. However it doesn't matter, they all need to be under the spotlight. At the moment it's the Tories because they are in power. On the other hand, the Tories didn't take us into an unnecessary war just to gain popularity.
I can't sufficiently express how wonderful it is that there are journalists who work hard to help us all to have trust in the idea of greater levels of transparency around our politicians. This is an incredibly important subject. We vote for people to represent us, and don't have the means to buy their allegiance to get what resources in our communities that we desperately need; yet politicians have frequently be shown to profit from companies attempting to sway them towards benefiting them. We obviously need a system; a strong watch dog system that helps to keep them honest. We all know that people have their personal 'price' that can sway them, and that if they think it is undetectable, they are more likely to bend their ethics and think about their constituents as secondary to company favours. That is why we need the same checks, balances and consequences upon these politicians and their staff.
Journalists work hard to make money. They aren't much good at doing anything more useful.
However desperately you need something doesn't mean you are entitled to have it.
However desperately you need something, does not mean there are resources to give it to you.
However desperately you need something, that does not imply there is some way of giving it to you.
However desperately you need something, that does not imply there is some one capable of giving it to you.
Well done Ian Hislop for addressing the language being used and bringing it back to a basic understanding of right from wrong.