Something happens

The tabloids cry: “Something must be done!”

The Ministers shout: “We must do something!”

A Special Advisor holds aloft a piece of paper: “This is something!”

The Prime Minister sighs: “We have done something!”

This month the something has been MP’s expenses.

Started by a plethora of ministers claiming second home expenses for sleeping at their mum’s house or for the house where their whole family live, rising to a crescendo of pay-per-view porn on expenses. Everybody shouting: “Something must be done!”.

Gordon Brown announces today that he wants a vote in Parliament next week replacing second homes allowance with a “turning up to work bonus” – little discussion, three line whip, something done.

Gordon needs to learn not to equate “doing something” with “doing the right thing”.