UK Libertarian Party: Expenses Protest -- Saturday 23rd May.

I wish I could be there myself. After all, the £1.5 to 2 million pension fund set aside from the fruits of your lives' work to support Speaker Martin is reason enough. Martin should now face the life for which he and his ilk expect their impoverished constituents to be grateful. He should eke out an existence on a state pension in a Glasgow council flat, not live the life of Reilly.

Even that would be an injustice. His National Insurance stamps are not exactly up to date, given how briefly he was in productive work. He gave that mug's game up thirty years ago to live as a parasite on the workers, first as a trade unionist and then as a Labour MP.

His friends and cronies ask us to pity him the inglorious end of his political career. Yet he will live far better in retirement than most who have worked long hours, created jobs and improved our lives by producing goods or providing services. Of course many such valuable people lost much or all in the attempt, for business success cannot be guaranteed. Yet Speaker Martin never took the slightest personal risk to support his family. You have done that for him, and right generously, for the three decades since he decided honest work was not for him. And now he plans to live on your backs for the rest of his days, lording it over you in yet another set of vainglorious fancy dress.

Because, for all the talk of his pension, his political career is not over. Injustice of injustices, he will remain a legislator. This, though he has contributed mightily, through his attempts to feather his own nest and suppress the truth about the nest-feathering of others, to the disgrace of the legislature. For a brief explanation of his role, watch this interview with the true heroine of the hour, Heather Brooke of the Your Right to Know blog.

Though his role in suppressing the truth is unforgivable, Speaker Martin was by no means the worst offender in terms of expense claims. Even now, it is reported that some Labour MPs are lobbying for Conservative John Bercow as the new Speaker. Why would they want a man with such a claims history to be in charge of "reforming" the parliamentary expenses system and restoring the reputation of the Commons? Do I need to ask? They are unabashedly plotting the defence of their troughing "rights".

Old Holborn will be at Saturday's protest in his "V for Vendetta" Guy Fawkes rig. Fancy dress is optional, though he gives tips on his blog as to where to buy the costume if you want. If you are in the area, why not keep him company for a while? Or, if you can't make it, promote it on your blog?

You have nothing to lose but their claims.