The expenses earthquake

Westminster is reeling from an earthquake that has spared no side of the House. As with many earthquakes, complacency and poorly constructed structures have exacerbated the impact.

However, despite the current aftershocks, Westminster is still standing and will continue to do so until the end of time.

For all the hand wringing and finger wagging, something good can and should come out of this massive tremor. First and foremost the Kelly review should be mothballed. A system that has not worked for so many years cannot see out the month. The time for tinkering and trimming is over. When the roots of the tree are rotting away you cut the tree down. For this reason the idea of an Independent Auditing Body for MPs expenses should not be pursued.

The problem is not the practice of claiming for expenses but the principle.

Similarly now is not the time for emotionally charged decisions. Of course we are angry and disappointed in those individuals who have stretched the system to the max. But do not forget that the spending balloon cannot be allowed to balloon even further. Do we really want to pay millions of pounds for by-elections when that money can and should be put into our pockets? The answer seems to be a deafening no.

That does not mean that you do not take assertive action. There are a number of options whih can and should be explored further.

The first two options could be dubbed the "in-house approach". First and foremost, the Parties should consider putting their offending MPs through a vigourous re-selection battle or forcing their resignation (the Conway option). A slap on the wrist for those who have broken the Parliamentary covenant is not good enough.

Secondly explusion from the party should be an option on the table. It is not fair or reasonable for the selfish minority to affect the progress of the majority.

The third and final option is to pursue the criminal sanction route. Parliamentarians have the power to impeach MPs who commit misdemeanours. Or the police, off their own backs, or at the request of consituents could commence criminal proceedings against the wrongdoers.

Whatever option, or combination of options is chosen, the time for "business as usual" is well and truly over. The stakes are too high to leave the road of governance ruptured for long. We all have a shared responsiblity to ensure that it is rebuilt as soon as possible.