The system is not at fault.

They are.

Brown is currently keen to proclaim 'The public must have confidence in the system' with regards to the gross abuse of MPs expenses. He is positioning himself as the do something bloke.

He is wrong.

The public must have confidence in MPs first. From that, confidence in everything else naturally follows. Confidence in MPs being in Westminster to represent us not enrich themselves and their families. Confidence in MPs willing and able to look after the nation's interest before their own. Confidence in MPs to spend our money wisely in Government and claim only what is neccessary as an MP. Confidence that MPs will defend our historic traditions and hard won freedoms. Behave with propriety and be decent, upstanding people.

MPs are too craven to their parties, believe they are above the law, toe the EU statist line almost to a man and have allowed the civil service to get out of control.

Incoming MPs are taught how to work the system. It has been claimed this is to supplement their income as the public wouldn't stand for MP pay rises. That is bollocks. They made a choice to submit specious claims. They made a choice to flip their second home designation on a whim. We do not let speeders off the hook by saying speed limits need to be raised. We do not let shop lifters off the hook by saying shops shouldn't have goods on display. We do not let benefit fraudsters off the hook by saying 'well the system is ripe for defrauding, it's not their own fault'. The whole of the UK is a rotten borough. The great stink has returned to hang over Westminster.

No doubt there are decent MPs who strive to be as small a burden on the taxpayer as possible. Sadly they are vastly outnumbered by the cynical and greedy.