(An empty House of Commons: the logical outcome? Image © UK Parliament, Flickr.)

For the past few weeks, as each new, and almost inevitably bizarre, MP expenses claim has been revealed to us, it has almost always been followed with a whimpering "But it's within the rules".
And as I hear this bizarre excuse I can't help wondering "so what?". Why is it that our leaders think accountability has something to do with keeping a record of money spent, and doing so within a set of self drafted guidelines?

Yes. I am baffled by the apparent absence of any modern-day thinking as to the higher meaning of the words 'accountability' and 'integrity'.The idea that one should be one's own policeman and 'do the right thing' by setting an example seems to be escaping most of us; and more's the pity.
I just hope that I am not alone in thinking that the rules to which our leaders so wimpishly cling are, in fact, largely irrelevant and that this message will be soon be rammed home to them, and our world at large, by a leader with a modicum of courage.

Come on David, come on Nick or even come back Tony! Just do it. Invite every MP, who has even so much as a smidgen of doubt as to the moral validity of his expenses claim, to resign with immediate effect, thus bringing about an immediate bye-election.

Invite new candidates to stand on the platform that the current fixed £60 kpa plus salary is quite sufficient and that, irrespective of current rules and regulations, that is what he intends to take home. And second homes? Forget it.

It seems obvious to me that whichever party shows that it has the mettle to do this will take the next election at a canter, and enjoy an enormous amount of public support in the meantime.
And what should happen to those errant MPs who have the integrity to stand down? Well, they should be told that they may be considered for re-selection, at a later date, elsewhere by an ever forgiving public.

Oh well. I can dream.