The Medialyser

Now, I am a little disappointed that no one has even attempted to throw the suffix ‘-gate’ to the MP’s expense claim scandal, so I, Lone Ranger, am going to singlehandedly start using the term MPsExpensesGate here.

The dust is beginning to settle and we can identify the winners and losers of the last few weeks revelations on MP’s overindulgence. Let’s start with those who came out on top: Heather Brooke, the journalist/activist who started the whole shenanigans by investigating the MP’s expense claims following changes in the Freedom of Information Act in 2004. The Telegraph boosted sales, and is feeling pretty good about itself. And so should the politicians who didn’t know about milk the expense system

The real losers here are, of course, the politicians, who now have to defend spending money, they were allowed to spend. Most noticably, Speaker Michael Martin, have resigned as a result of this scandal. But there are other losers here: us. Yes, the outrage felt by the public is justified, but also an overreaction – it has effectively stopped the media from reporting on anything really worthwhile.

This is the perfect story with perfect timing, as the impact is felt when MP’s moat cleaning expense claims are juxtaposed to stories of the near Doom of the Economy. It is also a funny story, and it satisfies our natural instinct to be outraged at whoever rules over us. After the story broke, it became safe to report it, and there are so many angles to go with.