There is a brilliant Radio Four comedy programme in which a character calls himself 'Count Arthur Strong'. He jumbles his words, tries to mix in circles way above his station in life, thinks he is always right and freeloads off all around him. I only catch these hilarious programme's on odd occasions, but I never fail to enjoy them.
Much to my amazement, whilst driving home listening to the latest scandal to come out of our now demoralised and impotent Houses of Parliament about the accusations regarding their Lordship being on the fiddle, I nearly lost control of my car in fits of laughter when I heard Lord Taylor give his "'umble" apologies to the House for bringing it into disrepute. I couldn't believe it, there was Count Arthur Strong in person.
According to these accusations, several Lords are suspected of taking money for voting in favour of the laws that would suit their wealthy donors, rather than benefit the people of this country and our democracy. It is scary to thank that the balance of joining the euro, or not, could be decided by the highest bidder who could nobble the most Peers.
When you take a look at the way New Labour has undermined both Houses of Parliament, and devastated the House of Lords, beginning with Tony Blair throwing out the hereditary Peers then cramming full of his mates, New Labour hangers on and cronies, what else can you expect when you fill the place full of people who are there with the attitude of what's in it for me, rather than what can I do for my country.
We all know the old sayings: "It shouldn't work, but it does", and: "If it ain't broke don't fix it", both of those sayings were applicable to the House of Lords. Those who were there by nothing else but an accident of birth somehow or other seemed to have greater respect for our laws, our customs and our country than those who will tell you that they have earned their position there. Sadly, Tony Blair hated the Lords and set about to destroy it, it wasn't broke but Tony soon fixed that - it's well and truly knackered now - its even got a Count Arthur Strong sound-alike!
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