"Nick Clegg right to show leadership on MP expense reform" - Kevin Lang

7.42.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Apr 2009

Kevin Lang agrees with Nick Clegg that reform of MPs expenses is urgently needed.

Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh North & Leith have praised the leadership of Nick Clegg on the issue of MP's expenses reform. Under plans published by the Lib Dem Leader today, MPs would be banned from claiming expenses to buy second homes.

Nick Clegg insisted MPs should no longer be able to make a profit from property purchased with taxpayer support. Instead, MPs would only be allowed to claim back the costs of renting a property.

Other proposals include a limit on car mileage claims for travelling between constituencies and Westminster to the cost of a standard open return train ticket. No increases to MP's salaries would be allowed whilst the UK is in recession.

Commenting on his proposals, Nick Clegg said,

"The ongoing controversy over the expenses system is having a hugely damaging effect on public confidence in MPs and politics. The behaviour of a small minority of politicians has played a major role in this collapse in confidence, but there has also been a collective failure to agree on a system that is seen as fair and transparent.

"In recent years MPs from both the Labour and Conservative parties have voted against proposals made by the Members Estimates Committee to toughen the expenses regime, or have attempted to block Freedom of Information regulation that would see MPs' expenses subjected to public scrutiny.

"It is clear that the status quo cannot now continue."

The plans have been welcomed by local Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat Westminster candidate for Edinburgh North & Leith, Kevin Lang said,

"Recent stories involving MPs expenses have been hugely damaging. Time after time, MPs have defended their claims, arguing that they fall within the rules. This shows that it is the system itself that is broken and needs reform.

"From the people I have spoken to on the doorsteps, I know that changes to the parliamentary expenses and allowances system are urgently needed to stop a long term and potentially permanent loss of public confidence in the political system.

"I am pleased to see Nick Clegg showing real leadership on this issue. His detailed proposals for reform shows the Liberal Democrats are serious about rebuilding public trust by creating and open, transparent and fair system of MPs expenses."

Related Link:

Click here to see Nick Clegg's reform plans.