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Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:41 GMT 12:41 UK

Excellent interview by Carrie Gracie this morning on News 24 - well worth her £92k salary (which is about what a contracting IT Manager would get). I suggest Michael Martin and Lord Foulks are signed up to Saturday's Radio 5 'Fighting Talk' just so they can show us all how 'Defending the indefensible' should be done!

Rob Walker, Bristol, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:41 GMT 12:41 UK

I feel that this might have been said before, but why are MP's not provided with accommodation, cleaning, meals, laundry etc in a hostel/hotel type lodging. Could the olympic village not be used for this purpose in the future? That way there would not be any need for them to submit expense claims and the greed that goes with them.

Demoralised, Burnley

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:38 GMT 12:38 UK

I have just been reading some of the previous comments and they do reflect the general anger over the expenses debacle. But to everyone irrespective of your political affiliation please do not lose complete faith in the democratic system. The political rights that we all enjoy today including the right to hold our elected representatives were hard won by previous generations of courageous men and women. Don't disengage from the political system, get involved.

Bernard McNaboe, Preston

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:35 GMT 12:35 UK

Since most MPs of all parties appear to be morally bankrupt and show no sign of being able to reform them selves I suggest we reduce the Number of MPs by half ( this should cut the cost of our so called "democracy" ) and enable the country to make a start on paying off the nations appalling debts . Reducing the number of MP's would also enable Messrs Cameron , Brown and Clegg sack MPs who have been absuing the system. I suggest they start with the speaker Mr Martin.

Chris, London

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:32 GMT 12:32 UK

MPs should be permitted to reclaim reasonable expences incurred in the execution of their work as MP. MPs living away from home this may require accomodation in London and expences associated with maintaining a home in their consituency.
I've no objection to the current system. The oversight and "reasonable" test has been inappropriate. Some MPs lack the self control that goes with being a responsible and representative MP. If they are honourable they should resign before they are ejected.

Maurice Shakeshaft, Newark, Notts

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:30 GMT 12:30 UK

Since most MPs of all parties appear to be morally bankrupt and show no sign of being able to reform themselves I suggest we reduce the Number of MPs by half ( this should cut the cost of our so called "democracy") and enable the country to make a start on paying off the nations appalling debts .

Reducing the number of MP's would also enable Messrs Cameron , Brown and Clegg to sack MPs who have been absuing the system. I suggest they start with the Speaker who is adding insult to injury

Chris, London

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:30 GMT 12:30 UK

This whole episode is old hat to some, we were writing about this type of greed on the old BBC poetry corner, my input was a poem in 2007 called "The Gravy Train" and a few more as the years progressed. The attention of the British public should next be focused on the greed seen in local councils and quangos like Housing Associations,etc.Nothing will ever surprise me when it comes to those "on the make".Put a bunch of hard up pensioners in charge of making the rules for these cretins

Peter

Peter Wicks, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:29 GMT 12:29 UK

"Why Parliament is not being dissolved is a complete mystery to me, Public confidence is now non-existent.

danny streather, United Kingdom "

Because the Queen DOES NOT CARE. This country won't be her problem much longer anyway once Lisbon has been forced through...

Brian Rainwash, Area K, EU

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:27 GMT 12:27 UK

An online No.10 petition has been established in favour of creating an accomodation block for MPs within reasonable travelling distance of the HoC. This would seem to fit in with nurses homes, military barracks etc... civil servants being supplied with suitable, nationally-owned, hotel-style accomodation for their work and would make for a transparent system. An MP canvassing on my doorstep with this proposal would certainly have my ear.

Search for: Stop-MP-Expenses number 10 petition.

Steve Hooper, Bognor Regis

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:21 GMT 12:21 UK

What planet are they on? Expecting other people to fund your extravagant lifestyle is not right and anyone who is decent and honest ie serfs, knows that.These so called honourable men are laughing at us all and that in my book is the lowest of the low.
We are all being taken for mugs and are being used as a cash cow, and I for one strongly resent that.
Lets have a clear out at the next election.

Kathy Bolton, proudtobeEnglishbutnotofourpoliticians, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:21 GMT 12:21 UK

When you apply for a job you know where you have to work. The cost of travel to another site, place etc shoud be expenses. Most people who travel understand this and except this. This should be the same for MP's. It is not a gravy train it is a job.

Kevin, Horsham

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:19 GMT 12:19 UK

MPs keep referring to the 'fact' that their expense claims are within the rules but they have yet to claim that they are within the 'spirit' of the scheme and it is this that is part of the problem.

My own MP has claimed over 23K for a second home as well as over 9K for travelling expenses, yet in a nearby constituency their MP has not claimed for a second home... both are on the south coast of England, both have the same 'entitlement' yet they seem to see the spirit in different ways.

Steve Hooper, Bognor Regis

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:17 GMT 12:17 UK

The worst thing about all of this nonsense is it really is seriously damaging our democracy, most stories 'blow over' because voters often have short memories.

However I don't think this one will be forgotten because it questions the whole of our parliamentary system.

Bring back Tony Benn; we need our politicians to have integrity so we can believe in them.

Right now, I don't want to vote ever again and I don't know anyone else who will.

Mr unhappy voter, Chester

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:15 GMT 12:15 UK

Second homes should only be available for MP's living more than 150 miles from London and the rest get a reduced Travel lodge at their own expence, I am sure they would use Video Conf more and spend less time in pointless meetings.

[Parmo1975], Leeds, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK

It's truly shocking how our government has been spending our money. I and many others are so sick of them and cant wait to have a general election so we can boot them out. We simply cannot afford Labour for another term, listen up all you Labour-ites!
I am ashamed to say i was one who voted them in but how i bitterly regret that moment. I cant remember a prime minister that has been so dogged with shame and scandle in such a short period of time as Gordon Brown.

Dawn Welsh, Hythe Kent