[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by jennyjuniper

We will only get decent politicians (is that an oxymoron?) When all the perks and expenses are stripped away and every MP has a basic wage and HAS to account for every other expenditure. Unlikely I know, but I can dream.

Spot on. although I do know of a good number of really decent and hardworking MPs from the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dems who get sick of this going on.

As you say, until there is the set salary with many fewer and much more regulated and controlled extras that can only be done when negotiated beforehand rather than learning after the event.
Nothing will get better and some will take all they can, while others will take a bit and the more decent take nothing.

This is apparantly allowed under the present rules in place but it is something that really needs to be changed in my view.