Yeah - it only undermined the democratic process and bought an election; what's the big deal?

And just delve into the HSBC issue a little bit under your own steam; it's a classic example of the 1% looking out for each other - and further evidence, if more were needed, that the working classes in this country are treated with scorn and contempt by those who consider themselves entitled to lead.

Very well put Bren

No it didn't - that rubbish you think spending a few thousand extra was the difference between Amber Rudd winning/losing her seat - seriously?

Its like the Democrats saying the Russians influenced the vote and allowed Trump to win!!

In Bradford we had a scandal about postal votes and who is actually doing the voting - but Labour won all the wards so that is OK to rig the election in that way!!

I have no truck with any rule bending but it happens across all spectrum of society, the black economy in the country is huge and who would you say are the major benefactors to that - it certainly isn't the 1%, drug money in this country dwarfs anything that HSBC did. I think you would do well to consider the whole of society not just those who you think have privilege beyond where you think they should have.

Ah yes, you are going for the 2 wrongs make a right theory.

Are you saying that it's ok for the country's elite to help line each other's pockets because there are criminals making money out of drugs ???

If we dont protect those people at the bottom of the pile, they will be more likely to look for other ways to make a living, many of which may not be legal.
Just look across "the pond" and see what happens without a decent welfare system.
The city of Chicago has 10+ murders every week, mainly drug related and it barely gets a mention.
All that we see is the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and New York.

You seem to be advocating anarchy for the super rich, whilst, at the same time, beig happy to squeeze the life out of the poor folk at the bottom. Why ?

The national debt is currently horrific and increasing by over £5,000 per second. I doubt whether Corbyn would make things worse. Conservative governments have consistently borrowed more and at a faster rate than Labour ones.

Actually it was £182,000 in 33 constituencies, and there are 30 Tory MP's implicated; I think the electorate has a right to know if they may be voting for an MP who is facing criminal charges - don't you? Your belief in democracy may be suspended because some people are *real* criminals - but mine isn't.

It's academic now however, since Alison Saunders, the DPP, has been got at; she's said this morning that there'll be no announcement from the CPS until *after* the result of the election - how very convenient.

Small scale election fraud!?

Oh well that's fine then, shall we just turn a blind eye to corruption that doesn't meet our own bar for warranting attention.

As you say, all pigs in the trough but Corbyn's voting record is always in favour of the working class and against the interests of the super wealthy. He has also got a track record of speaking in favour of policies the benefit your average Joe. He's not the most polished fella, but compared with the wanton destruction of our services by May & Co - I can't vote for anyone else in good conscience.

So did Labour not get fined for the same thing?

As I mentioned postal voting is open to corruption - it should only be open to those who physically cannot get to a polling station e.g. UK citizens living abroad. Not for people you can't/wont/not allowed to go to the polling station on the day.

I agree Corbyn is a very idealistic politician would you prefer him running the country rather than May not a chance for me. You say destruction of public services the Tories are putting more money into health and education than anyone ever has. The issue is where do you stop and how do you fund it. Yes increase the tax take if you think putting up CT will yield more revenue and taxing the rich more unless its via PAYE will yield more I personally think you are wrong. Taxes have to be equitable or people will find a way of avoiding them.

£182k is peanuts in the grand scheme of things not a lot different to the irregularities in the Labour campaign spending during the same election - All the MPs implicated are known so the people voting for them will be able to make a judgement call on them.

Yes it is a relatively small amount of money overall - but the principal is important. And the HSBC dirty money issue is far from peanuts - and neither is the profit made by Mrs May's hedge fund husband on Brexit related activities.

But I guess so long as there are enough people like you prepared to overlook the excesses of the elite, they'll always get away with it and nothing will change.

Personally, I like to think that there's a better way - and Mrs May and her cronies will not offer anything other than further swingeing cuts to the things that less well off people rely on, whilst ensuring that for the privileged, the status quo remains.

You say that they are all known but, there is very little (if anything) in the Tory papers about it and I'm not sure if all of those involved have been named.

It was reported that large fines and/or imprisonment could follow, so, hardly the "peanuts" issue that you try to pretend.

It would help the electorate to know who the MP's were that broke the rules and the extent that they "overspent" or is this something else that you feel should be ignored.

We have Grannies who cant pay their bills put in prison but, MP's once again, think they are above the law.

That reminds me, my duck house could do with a new roof

If it is found to be deliberate and fraudulent then, yes.
Lock them all up.

Mind you the Labour MP's are likely to be looking for some other way to fill their time anyway, so, we might as well have them stitching mail bags or making slippers.

Many of those in parliament (on both sides) showed their true colours during the expenses scandal.
They are supposed to make the laws for EVERYONE to abide by bt, in reality, they couldn't give a toss about anyone, other than themselves.

I couldn't agree more - MPs for the most part are a necessary evil - they could be worse they could be members of the house of lords!!

I think Mullholland in Leeds is a genuine guy trying to do the best for his constituents

Mariana Mazzucato just about managed to set the record straight regarding the deficit, and the household budget falacy on Newsnight despite the obnoxious host.
It was amusing watching the Tory bloke on there trying to dodge the questions as to why they've started to implement Ed Miliband's economic policy, despite ridiculing it 2 years ago.