No win

The expenses reform proposals approved by MPs today, however transitory, marks a bad day for the cradle of democracy.

Not only have MPs who voted in favour, failed to improve their image amongst their constituents and the wider population, but they have arguably taken a great leap backward.

Ignore the fact that these proposals mark an undermining of the Kelly review and seem to show MPs more preoccupied with protecting their money, than ours.

MPs have managed to create a two tier system where if you have a London seat you are automatically worse off than if you have a Liverpool seat (even though it is more expensive to live in London than Liverpool).

They have also managed to add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to the vast workload already faced by MPs, with the adoption of plans to get MPs to account for every penny they spend and send job applications to the Commons authorities for vetting and approval.

Labour's obsession with class has also once again reared its ugly head with adoption of plans to get MPs to account for second job payments.

Noone, least of all the British people, gain from today's vote.