Too little, too late?

That is the situation we could be facing as expenses dominates our national press coverage for a sixth day.

The issue is not about the minutae of the claims, nor indeed the repaying of those claims (which incidentally is meaningless as MPs are only making such moves because they were rumbled), but about how the system that emerged, was allowed to do so.

Nothing today changes the fact the principle needs addressing and not the practices. It seems we are further away from this today than we were yesterday. There is a time to address confidence in the Speaker and to examine claims. This is not the time. Seeking to bar "extravagant" claims is an interpretational and implementational nightmare. It also introduces yet another subjective element into the "Westminster bubble".

Further why should MPs be allowed to claim mortgage relief on their homes? By framing the debate in this way we are devaluing the principle of work and a solid work ethic.

So are developments today, too little, too late?