THE BIG QUESTION - FDs give cautious welcome to sleaze report
Three-quarters of FDs say sleaze in Parliament won’t end without new legislation. However, the majority think the Downey report’s indictment of politicians involved in cash for questions will discourage MPs from corruption – but only to a degree.
Less than 5% believe the report will put a stop to dishonesty and 8% say the report won’t change anything.
These are the results of a poll of 200 FDs for The Big Question, a survey commissioned by Accountancy Age and Reed Accountancy Personnel.
Edwin Clark of furniture suppliers Contract Furniture Specialists said: ‘The word “politician” is synonymous with sleaze. Downey will just mean MPs will be more careful when lying.’
Iain Savage of motor company Edwards Ford said Downey’s success ‘depends on the criminal defence bill’. He added: ‘Things are moving in the right direction, but you will never eradicate sleaze totally.’
Jonathon McKay of removal company Interpack Worldwide said: ‘While people in Parliament are precluded from realistic earnings, there is always going to be temptation.’
In The Big Question (26 June) on the possible abolition of pensions tax dividends in the Budget, we reported Rakesh Gulati of Churchfields as saying: ‘If the computation of tax is incorrect, then change it.’ ‘Computation’ should have read ‘imputation’.
