Commons Column 12th February 2008

Parliament has had a bad time in the press over the last week or so. It makes me very angry when the integrity of all politicians is brought into question because of the behaviour of a few who have acted improperly.

The vast majority of MPs and Peers and Councillors and others in public life are honest and hardworking. Almost everyone I know in politics, from every political party, is involved because they believe in certain principles and want to make the world a better place. I think that is a commendable motive.

But I do think the whole system of funding political life in our democracy should be open to greater scrutiny.

Democracy only works where there is accountability. And accountability only works where there is information.

I am very happy to disclose the way in which every penny of my parliamentary allowances is spent. I think some people in Epping Forest will be surprised at just how little an MP actually costs – and how very few things we claim in “expenses”.

Journalists give the impressions that we all have lots of staff and offices. We don’t. But we do need to employ secretaries to deal with the vast number of letters and phone calls we get.

Being elected to represent people in Parliament is a great honour and a privilege. It is an MP’s duty to behave in an honourable way. Most do.

I believe that we should disclose more information about our use of public money – that there should be greater transparency. Only thus will the reputation of ‘Honourable Members’ be rightly restored.