Sparkbrook and Small Heath residents views on the expenses scandal

Jun 2 2009 by Adam Aspinall, Birmingham Mail

PENSIONER Dora Ray, who used to work in a laundry on the Stratford Road, said she had never seen anything like the expenses scandal before.

The 90-year-old said: “It’s a disgrace, but in all my years I don’t think I have seen anything worse than this.

“It has been bad enough seeing this part of Birmingham decline under successive Governments but I never thought I’d see Parliament go under.

“It’s like the last days of Rome.”

Wajid Hussain, a 30-year-old businessman, agreed with Mrs Ray and said he feared the next election could be a “disaster” as people may refuse to vote.

He said: “What they have been doing is nothing short of a disgrace.

“Some people have to work their whole lifetime just to buy a home and then these people use our money to buy whatever they want. Why should people bother to vote in a system like that?”

Post office worker Mr Orme, aged 50, thinks that legal action should be taken against the MPs.

He said: “I think it is disgusting. The MPs are a disgrace and they should not be allowed to get away with just a slap on the wrist after de-frauding the system.

“If it was an ordinary citizen they would be named and shamed, taken to court, and possibly even end up with a criminal record. This country is finished.”

Delwar Hussain, a 29-year-old mechanic, said: “They should be made to pay every penny back and then go to prison. We would have to so why not them?”

Dhirmesh Guha, a 23-year-old taxi-driver said: “No one cares any more, this scandal doesn’t matter.”

Matt Coombe, a 19-year-old student, said: “I’ve never voted before and I’m not sure if I will at the next election. It all seems a bit pointless now doesn’t it?”

Simon Willetts, a 20-year-old student, said: “This has only just got through to me really, but it doesn’t bother me much anyway. I think politics is dead and for older people, young people aren’t bothered.”

Ali Zaman, a 64-year-old shopkeeper, said: “Standards seem to be dropping everywhere, you only have to walk around the streets in Sparkbrook to see that.”

Akthar Hussain, a 55-year-old businessman, said: “There would be riots in other countries about something like this or the Army would take over Government in a coup.

“It has happened before. I think the British are too sensible and should protest these outrages.”

Kiran Singh, a 21-year-old shop worker, said: “I don’t know many people who voted in the last election whenever that was. And I don’t know whether people will even want to get involved in a new one. It makes me worry what might happen in the future though. I think I will definitely vote next time.”

Mohammed Ali, a 30-year-old printer, said: “The politicians are corrupt and it is a national disgrace. Everyone’s looking at Britain and laughing. But politics has always been corrupt so maybe we should not be surprised.”

Liam Burns, a 26-year-old labourer, said: “I think parties like the BNP will do really well from this because people are fed-up of these politicians taking our money and letting immigration get out of control.”

Zaheed Zaman, a 31-year-old bank worker, said: “If this had happened in a corporate world heads would be rolling. There is no doubt about that, so to see them hanging on to their jobs and even defending their actions is outrageous.”

Ali Abdullah, a 37-year-old unemployed salesman, said: “It’s a disgrace, in any other walk of life they’d all be sacked and arrested. I doubt anyone will vote in any new elections.”

Natasha Begum, a 40-year-old mum, said: “It’s just a disgrace. I have lost faith in the whole system. They are like benefits scroungers but worst of all they won’t get into trouble.”

Kiran Singh, a 29-year-old student, said: “I think people are angry about it but religion is more important to people around here. I think I might vote Conservative in the next election.”

Mohammed Ali, a 19-year-old delivery man, said: “They should all go to prison for what they have done but I don’t think the local guy has been that bad, I think he has been good for the area.”

Mohammad Ali, a 48-year-old office manager, said: “Nothing works, trains, buses or anything and now Parliament, so why should we care? I think their behaviour is predictable all politicians are a disgrace always have been. But what other options are there?”

Mark Kite, a 31-year-old manager, said: “I think it will take a lot for people to trust them again and I think you will see that in the next election. I just hope people in places like Sparkbrook don’t turn away from politics forever because of it.”

Steven Hennessy, a 27-year-old driver, said: “It’s a disgrace and I think everyone will vote BNP because of it which would be really bad news for a place like Birmingham. I would love to see them all go to prison but this has made me want to vote in the next election.”