Reform needed to restore public faith
From: Alec Shelbrooke, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservatives for Elmet & Rothwell.
HAVE we lost faith in MPs? The past fortnight has angered many voters and their faith in MPs has very much diminished but now is the time for an urgent reform in Parliament.
For too long the system of expenses in Parliament has allowed MPs to claim for items far beyond what the system should allow.
Last year, David Cameron proposed a change that would only allow MPs to claim for accommodation and travel; this was not voted for by MPs when it was debated in the House of Commons and now they are seeing the impact of their actions.
Across the country, now is the time for change, a radical reform of the expenses system and a change of Government. It is the duty of an MP to be true to their constituents and it should be an honor to be elected as a representative of those constituents.
Being an MP should not be seen as an occupation but a vocation and a new style of honest politics is the change we need.
I campaign throughout the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and people respond positively when I announce I will publicly publish my expenses should I be elected.
Every MP has a duty to be accountable to their electorate and publishing expenses is a vital part of this.
Where there have been abuses by Conservative MPs, David Cameron has dealt swiftly and ruthlessly with them, demanding that they step down at the election or be sacked by the party.
I welcome this action from a leader who has often spoken of tough decisions that will need to be made in office and who does not shy away from them now.
I am as angry and appalled as any taxpayer and feel real resentment to those in the House of Commons who have managed to tar us all with the same brush.
I will always be open about how I use taxpayer funded expenses and I am sure I'm in the company of all taxpayers when I say that I welcome a radical reform of Parliamentary expenses.
The change needed to restore faith in our elected representatives.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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