MPs Expenses Questions

James Brokenshire reaffirmed his commitment to the introduction of a recall mechanism for MPs during this week's Churches Together political hustings in Sidcup. Responding to questions on the abuse of expenses James said that voters should be able to sack MPs who are guilty of misconduct rather than having to wait for an election to get rid of them. James also said that the rules on Parliamentary privilege should be changed to make it absolutely clear that they could not be used as a defence to MPs who had broken the law.

On the general issue of expenses, James highlighted that the national newspapers had been through his expenses in detail and had held him up as an MP who had not broken the rules. James was the MP for Hornchurch between 2005 and 2010. The seat was the only constituency to be abolished in London in boundary changes drawn up by the Boundary Commission.

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

"Our political system needs to change. We need to make politics more accountable, more transparent and more local. Confidence in politicians and the political system has been badly damaged by the expenses debacle. We need to start the process of restoring faith in politics and a much greater sense of public service in those holding public office."

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