Save Public's faith in Parliament!

The scandal of Conservative MP, Derek Conway, using taxpayers’ money to pay family members for work they didn’t do, must lead to far-reaching reforms in MPs’ pay and allowances.

For too long, a minority of MPs have abused the system – and so undermined the public’s faith in the rest of us.

Personally, I favour a ban on MPs employing family members. I have never employed a relative, and while sympathising with colleagues who in the past employed hardworking spouses, times have changed. With other employers restricted by anti-discrimination employment laws, MPs cannot continue with nepotism.

Yet we need other reforms to root out both the actual misuse of taxpayers’ cash and the perception of abuse.

First, MPs should not vote for our own salaries. Salary increases could be linked instead to the rise in state pensions, or rises in the pay of public sector workers like police or nurses.

Second, MPs’ allowances for buying or renting homes in central London should be reformed. Those rules entitle me to a £22,000 tax-free allowance - though I do not claim it. Since our sitting hours were reformed after the 2001 Election, the Commons rarely sits after 10pm, so I believe in catching a late train home with my constituents, rather than fleecing taxpayers. However, 16 London MPs shockingly do claim this allowance.

Third, there should be tougher independent audit of how MPs use taxpayers’ money. I am investigating how I can do this unilaterally, until the formal rules are changed.

We must act fast, to restore the public’s faith in Parliament.