With respect, any public funded organisation that encourages its employees to maximise the drawing of expenses whilst publicly appearing to have 'capped' wages does so to mislead the public and is therefore acting in a dishonest manner. To a man/woman every MP knew that the expense system was flawed and open to misuse - but this didn't stop many of them taking advantage of the situation and lining their own pockets at the public's expense. They were all quick to vilify any senior bank official or city worker for taking pre-agreed pensions and bonuses but all the time they continued to milk the public purse for their own selfish interests.
Personally, I believe that anyone found to have taken advantage of the system should be removed from office and Parliament with immediate affect and should not be allowed to continue drawing payment from the public purse nor should they receive any financial aid to 'help their transition from public life' - if they have been caught doing wrong they should be punished - by legal action as and where appropriate - but definitely by immediate dismissal from public service.
I accept that the problem has existed for many years, but that does not excuse those in power from being compliant in it continuance - to accept that that's just the way things work, when you know its wrong shows a weakness of character and a lack of integrity.
It must be possible to provide decent accommodation for MP's whilst they are in office and I can see no public advantage in paying the individual costs for either purchasing, renting or maintaining a private dwelling of/for any MP.
Damn right the rules need to be changed...but they will need to be FULLY transparent and available to public scrutiny and all MP's expense claims should be legally audited and published.
Sadly, even though we can exercise our vote as and when given the opportunity to do so, we will be hard pushed to put our trust in anyone who is a member of either of the main political parties and just as wary with those who come forward from some of the more obscure ones...where's Screeming Lord Such when you need him...at least we knew he was bonkers!
Sorry to go on...I'll pop off and have a lie down in a darkend room for a few minutes.
Regards, Farmer