With further revelations in today's Daily Telegraph about the abuse of the expenses system by senior members of the Conservative Party, I believe that David Cameron has no option but to ask them to apologise and to pay back every single penny claimed for these extravagances.
If they do not, then he should instruct them that the party whip will be withdrawn immediately and they will not be standing for the party at the next general election.
Yes, all this was done within parliamentary rules and was approved by the House of Commons.
However, it clearly contravenes the spirit of the rationale for MPs expenses, namely to carry out their parliamentary duties.
They should now act like honourable men, admit that they had got it wrong and repay the money.
It is as simple as that.
This probably the defining moment in David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative Party and I believe, as someone who joined the party because of his promises for change, that he will act decisively over this matter and break with the past.
The one silver lining is that there will be a brand new set of MPs coming in at the next general election who will have been rightly appalled by the way that current members have abused the system and will ensure that this will never happen again.
If they do not, then he should instruct them that the party whip will be withdrawn immediately and they will not be standing for the party at the next general election.
Yes, all this was done within parliamentary rules and was approved by the House of Commons.
However, it clearly contravenes the spirit of the rationale for MPs expenses, namely to carry out their parliamentary duties.
They should now act like honourable men, admit that they had got it wrong and repay the money.
It is as simple as that.
This probably the defining moment in David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative Party and I believe, as someone who joined the party because of his promises for change, that he will act decisively over this matter and break with the past.
The one silver lining is that there will be a brand new set of MPs coming in at the next general election who will have been rightly appalled by the way that current members have abused the system and will ensure that this will never happen again.
Comments
My view is absolutely clear - this is now a matter of honour and maintaining whatever dignity is left within the House of Commons.
All MPs should therefore volunteer to repay all items claimed for which are outside of what they should be receiving in the course of doing their jobs for their constituents.
If not, then they should have the whip withdrawn and they should stand down at the next election.
3