MPs' Expenses - The Mask Slips
Alan Duncan - the Tory shadow leader of the house - has let the cat out the bag with some ill-judged and unguarded comments about MPs' expenses.
During a recent interview - but without realising his remarks were being recorded - Mr Duncan said that MPs were being forced to live on "rations" and that MPs had been treated like "shit".
Mr Duncan's private remarks contrast with his public statements - about understanding public anger over MPs' expenses and the need for Westminster to be seen to rebuild public trust and confidence.
But there's the rub - as soon as MPs think the heat is off - they bring in new 'rules' that allow honourable members to claims thousands of pounds in expenses - but without having to produce a single receipt.
And that's the real scandal, many MPs - across all political parties - really do believe that £25 a day is just so much loose change. Why should they have to account for what they spend?
Until MPs are subject to the same kind of rules and regulations as everyone else - the scandal will continue and public resentment will get stronger.
Meantime - if there's any justice in the world - Mr Duncan will soon be toast.
During a recent interview - but without realising his remarks were being recorded - Mr Duncan said that MPs were being forced to live on "rations" and that MPs had been treated like "shit".
Mr Duncan's private remarks contrast with his public statements - about understanding public anger over MPs' expenses and the need for Westminster to be seen to rebuild public trust and confidence.
But there's the rub - as soon as MPs think the heat is off - they bring in new 'rules' that allow honourable members to claims thousands of pounds in expenses - but without having to produce a single receipt.
And that's the real scandal, many MPs - across all political parties - really do believe that £25 a day is just so much loose change. Why should they have to account for what they spend?
Until MPs are subject to the same kind of rules and regulations as everyone else - the scandal will continue and public resentment will get stronger.
Meantime - if there's any justice in the world - Mr Duncan will soon be toast.
