Who's watching the children?

Although it would appear that they have not broken any of the relevant regulations, Labour's dynamic duo (no, not the Milliband boys!) of Ed Balls and his wife, Yvette Cooper, have been named by a Conservative M.P. who has asked the Standards' Commissioner to investigate claims on their expenses for almost 400 journeys - by their three children!  The accusation is that Mr and Mrs Balls have had their family's travel subsidised more than other "Honourable Members" have had for their families!

Of course, the Party machine has quickly moved into operation, and the shadow Children's minister has pointed out that the couple have to be in Parliament, and in their constituencies, each week; and asks who is supposed to look after the children if they have to leave them behind in London, or in Yorkshire?

May I be so bold as to suggest that, with two ministerial salaries in the last government, and two shadow ministerial salaries in the current parliament, together with all of the expenses that members are still able to claim, they could at least afford to employ a nanny?!  Better, if Mrs Balls feels the need to be employed, let her take up a job that would allow her to be at home with her children at least as much as the average working mother!  Best of all, she could be radically reactionist, and stay at home to look after her children by herself!

Of course, there will be those who will defend this woman's right to take on whatever job she pleases.  However, I would wish to defend the right of her children to be surrounded by a mother's love!
 
The Biblical model of the family - with the husband being the provider, and the wife being the carer - may be out of fashion in our modern secular society.  But it's still the healthiest, and the best!