Monkey See, Monkey Do

Nanny believes in the principle of leadership by example; in other words she seeks to teach her charges, via example, how they should lead their lives.

One of Nanny's chums in the Lords, Baroness Corston, is leading by example. When she was a lowly commoner and MP she twisted her ankle, or something similar, in the Houses of Parliament in 2003. Now she is claiming an enhanced sickness pension worth up to £24K a year.

However, before there is an out pouring of sorrow and grief for this poor lady, let us not forget that weeks after the 2005 election she was given a peerage and last year claimed £26K in attendance allowances and expenses.

One parliamentary source said:

"Several MPs have been given a higher pension

by saying they cannot carry on as MPs,

only to wash up in another job or the Lords."

Baroness Corston, who used to be a barrister (what is it about this current Labour government that attracts lawyers?), was the first female chairman of the backbench Parliamentary Labour Party group, and was the MP for Bristol East from 1992 until the last Election.

She has attended the Lords on 61 days last year and claimed £26,190 in allowances, made up of £16,890 in daily and overnight allowances and £9,300 in travel and office costs.

Value for money indeed!

The next time you lash out at the person in the street who claims compensation from a local council for tripping up, remember they are taking their cue from our "beloved" leaders.