MPs expenses must be reformed - transparent, accountable and lower cost

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th May 2009

The way some MP's have used their expenses is an absolute disgrace. We now need a total overhaul of the way MP's are compensated: it is not acceptable for MPs to use taxpayer's money to profit from their second homes, Nor should it be thought reasonable for Beckenham's current Conservative MP, for example, to claim £7,000 in annual driving expenses for representing a constituency only 12 miles from Parliament.

Alex Feakes, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Lewisham West & Penge backs reform of MPs' expenses

Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, has taken the lead in setting out proposals for a full overhaul. He has set out basic principles: taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent; all expenses have to be justified on the basis of enabling MPs to do their job; and reform should not increase, and should ideally reduce, the total cost of politics.

This is in contrast to efforts by many Labour and Conservative MPs to block reform: the three Labour Lewisham MPs, for example, failed to back reforms to the 'second home allowance' or to block exempting MPs expenses from the Freedom of Information Act.

If elected by you at the General Election for the new constituency of Lewisham West & Penge, I will abide by these principles and to claim no more than is needed to do my job: representing you in Parliament.

Related Link:

Nick Clegg on MPs' expenses.