Liberal Democrats back plans to reform MPs' expenses

Published on Mon 21st Sep 2009

The Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference today backed radical plans to reform MPs' expenses.

The plans include:

All MPs who have deliberately broken the rules to be subject to investigation and, where justified, criminal prosecution

Any future gains made by the sale of second homes to go back to the public purse

All MPs to commit to implementing the recommendations of Sir Christopher Kelly's independent inquiry

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Paul Burstow said:

"The MPs' expenses scandal is a symptom of our failed politics. Only the Liberal Democrats offer a real alternative to our failed politics. We have an opportunity to create a different kind of politics in this country, one that isn't tainted by the scandal over MPs' expenses.

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently spoken and voted for reform of MPs' expenses, and have been calling for greater openness for years, even when both Labour and Conservative MPs opposed change.

"We need these proposals to really clean up Westminster and stop Labour and Tory MPs from going back to business as usual."