Sal calls on all MPs to declare expenses

6.21.00pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

Sal Brinton, Watford's Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, has Lib Dem LibDem MP Jo Swinson's motion against the Government's decision to exempt MPs from publishing full details of their expenses. The motion criticises the negative effect of the move on Parliamentary transparency.

Sal said "It is absolutely vital that the public gain confidence in MPs and their expenses, and the only way to do this is to publish them in full. I hope that all MPs and parliamentary candidates in the area will join me in undertaking to publish their Parliamentary expenses once elected."

Jo Swinson said "Ministers should not be cooking up plans to keep MPs' expenses hidden from public view. With this new legislation in force, it will be one rule for MPs and another for everyone else. The government's move just gives the impression that MPs have something to hide. Ministers must prevent it coming into force, to prevent further damage being done to the already tarnished image of Parliament as far as expenses are concerned."