It is time for a real change! (Southend Liberal Democrats)

Southend Liberal Democrats <info@southendlibdems.co.uk>

It is time for a real change!

May 27, 2009 7:55 PM

Peter Welch It would be easy to think that light is being shed on MPs' expenses. But secrecy is still the big problem.

I have been out talking to residents almost every day for the last month. They are seething about the MPs' claims for expenses. They need to know exactly what is being claimed for - not just for second homes, but also staff and office expenses. The sooner the detailed claims are available on the internet, the better.

If I am elected I pledge

ï'· Not to employ any member of my family at public expense

ï'· Only to claim what is necessary for me to represent the area, even if a higher sum is allowed under the rules

ï'· To publish all my expense claims on my website."

I have worked auditing public spending in the UK, in South America and in Europe. I should probably be less shocked than some by what we now know. But many of these cases take my breath away. David Cameron's suggestion that paying the money back would be enough punishment shows he is out-of-touch with public opinion. Where voters are not satisfied with an MP, they should have the right to call a by-election, as Nick Clegg has proposed."