Jesse Norman is, according to his bio. notes on Comment is Free, executive director of the Tory independent thinktank Policy Exchange and the author of that oxymoron Compassionate Conservatism. Jesse wrote a little piece last week about how the 'Cash for Honours' scandal had devalued our political culture. Let me be amongst the first to agree with that statement, for starters. As far as I'm concerned the whole bloody honours system is based on patronage and is, and has been, wide open for corrupt practices for as long as it has existed, and like the Tory corporate sponsorship of parliamentary questions, it does indeed devalue our political culture..

So... I've made my position clear on that, and if Labour politicians are proved to have procured loans or donations in return for these dubious honours, they should be drubbed out of public life, and dealt with by the law. In saying that, I also believe the same should apply to Tories and Liberal Democrats, who also nominate for Peerages... oh, and I'm saying so as a Labour Party member and as a politician.

What a shame that Jesse, this independent beacon of light amongst us, doesn't tell us all of his biographical details... or trouble to tell us a few facts about Tory finances. Sadly... that is left up to those commenting on his little piece.