Abstract
This Commentary assesses the causes and impact of the recent exposure of MPs' expenses claims by the Daily Telegraph. It first assesses ‘Smear-gate’ which immediately preceded these revelations and forced the resignation of one of the Prime Minister's advisers; and also takes in claims that members of the House of Lords sought cash to influence legislation. The expenses ‘scandal’ is then put into a wider context of declining public trust in politics. I then consider how the parties' often short-term responses may make matters better or worse. The Commentary concludes by asking how far the current furore presents the political class as a whole with the chance to mobilise support for a full transformation of the conduct of politics, something that might reverse the current trend towards greater disenchantment with Westminster politics.
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