MPs' expenses

There is no way of the public knowing if this is the case.

They are all complicit in the disgraceful way our public funds have been systematically siphoned off for indiscriminate personal use over such a long period of time.

In all that time they knew it was going on and defended those found out by keeping quiet.

Now, we have long queues crying: “Sorry, my mistake.

Please accept my cheque and let’s forget it.”

Party leaders, the official Opposition and Westminster authorities did not protect us from these immoral betrayals of our trust.

Can the Queen dissolve Parliament? She is Head of State.

George Appleby, Clifton, York.

I COMMEND Colin Mortimer for his excellent letter about the MPs’ expenses scandal (HAS1, May 14).

I still find it hard to believe what many of our MPs have been up to – overarching greed at a time when ordinary folk are having to cope with job losses, not to mention trying to make ends meet.

They have also voted themselves very generous pension provisions. Can somebody please tell me what is so special about politicians?

Above all, all this sets a dreadful example for young people when they see the moral decadence of our leaders.

It all reminds me of the latter days of imperial Rome. Maybe in another 20 years or so the Taliban will sort us all out. I’m not joking.

Peter Hill, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.

THE real problem with the Government and with Parliament in general is arrogance; the treatment of the views of ordinary people with contempt.

This has come to a head with the scandal of MPs’ expenses, but it has shown itself in many other ways. Post office closures, local planning decisions, Gurkhas, identity cards, immigration, the refusal of a referendum on Europe and so on.

If Parliament really wants to regain the trust of the electorate it must listen and act, not dismiss our views as populist and ill-informed and grasp the fact that it is a servant and not a master.

Peter Elliott, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.

I UNDERSTAND MPs are entitled to a £10,000 communications allowance – “spin money” – to enable them to tell us what a good job they are doing.

As a resident of Middleton St George, I am swept into the Sedgefield constituency whose former MP was Tony Blair. Could the present MP perhaps tell us: (a) how much communications allowance he has spent so far; (b) tell us who he is?

Mrs S Hammler, Middleton St George, near Darlington.

WHILE I am no great fan of The Daily Telegraph, why don’t MPs just admit that they have been extremely greedy and, instead of spitting their dummies out, do the honourable thing – pay the money back and resign.

David Lowdon, Sunnybrow, Crook, Co Durham.

I REALLY find it hard to believe that certain MPs have been claiming unnecessary expenses… I thought they were all supposed to be upright and honest and not classed as spongers off the state.

Name supplied, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

THERE is no need for an expenses system; other means must be employed. Massive changes are needed with constant monitoring. Don’t hold your breath.F Evans, Sunderland.

IF nothing changes I would advise school leavers to become apprentice MPs. Then, they could retire at 35 – unless they are even greedier and wanted more.

K Davies, Darlington.

IT is a strange, yet somehow unsurprising fact that “Houses of Parliament” is an anagram of “shameful operations”.

CT Riley, Spennymoor, Co Durham.

I WAS always taught that expenses were there to be used, not abused. Quite simple.

JM Gowland, Heighington, near Darlington.