Mr Clegg said: "the public have the right to expect that their money is being properly accounted for. The Speaker's review of expenses must provide the basis for fundamental changes to the system of MPs' allowances."
Since the exposure of the Mr Conway (left), there has been a renewed scrutiny shown towards the level of public funds available to MPs for expenses. Already, a Commons committee in the process of conducting a thorough review, has already reduced the amount MPs can claim without a receipt from £250 to £25 and promised a "more robust regime for audit".But this is only one step in the right direction. MPs are paid by the taxpayers to serve their interests in the Houses of Parliament and beyond, and surely it is in the overwhelming interest of the public to see and know exactly what their representatives are spending their money on.
I believe therefore that a full overhall is required which hopefully should lead to all MP expenses being published, which will not only increase the already low level of public trust, but will go a long way to reduce money wasted. Although not related to MP expenses, I was amazed to watch on BBC Parliament a debate taking place on Wednesday in the Commons chamber over whether meetings should be catered with bottled or tap water! Only one member put forward the motion of bottled water only to have his suggestion laughed at - presumably MPs can't possibly drink London water...
From one scandal to another. Tory leader David Cameron was today exposed for breaching traffic rules as he cycled to work. Cameron, who prides himself on taking the green option, was photographed ignoring red lights and cycling the wrong way up a one-way street by a cameraman of the Daily Mirror.
You could argue whether following Cameron was in the public interest, but what will this do to the credibility of potentially the next Prime Minister...
