Goodbye, Jaguar

BRITAIN: Have you ever seen a British cabinet minister take the Underground to work? Probably not, as they have traditionally been driven to the Palace of Westminster in Jaguars. But that’s about to change.

The coalition government has decided to cut the ministerial Jaguars, as they are an unnecessary and expensive luxury. The idea, however, is not new: in 1999, for example, then-Minister Chris Mullin wrote in his diaries, A View from the Foothills, that having his own car and driver was “entirely pointless”, reported The Guardian.

For past ministers, luxury wasn’t the only advantage of the government car service. They were often able to learn secrets and gossip that had been shared among the drivers as they were waiting for their passengers. 

Prime Minister  Cameron: "It is not enough to make a difference. We must be different."

Now the use of limousines is reduced to exceptional circumstances. Ministers will be expected to walk, cycle, take public transport, or use a pooled car.  "After the scandals of recent years, people have lost faith in politics and politicians," Prime Minister David Cameron told the ministers. "It is not enough simply to make a difference. We must be different."

Unfortunately, UK politics already has its next scandal. The chief secretary to the Treasury, David Laws, resigned on 1 June, as he had used taxpayers' money to pay rent on properties owned by his partner.