Yet another own goal...

The decision to publish MP expenses with large swathes of black ink is yet another own goal by the Parliamentary establishment. A day that could finally have lanced the boil of this issue by bringing everything into the open has instead created a new wave of resentment and cynicism. Even the most honest MPs look like they are trying to cover things up.



Looking at the expense claims that go in, there is virtually nothing that needs to be concealed - I would suggest credit card numbers / bank account details and signatures - not much else. All the rest should have been simply published. I couldn't believe my ears when I saw the TV news last night and one senior MP who had overseen the whole process of blacking out expense details suddenly telling Nick Robinson it was all a disgrace!



I can only hope that the Election of a new Speaker on Monday starts a completely fresh way of thinking about our role as MPs and that the old attitudes are got rid of as quickly as possible.