As MPs threw their reputation to the wind….where were the cabinet?

The recommendations for reform of MPs’ expenses were hardly radical. They would have kept their circa £23,000 of expenses for a second home in London - and won greater public respect - in return for taking a few blows such as tougher auditing, a halving of the allowance for those in greater London and the end of fre furniture and new kitchens. For a majority to reject the proposals yesterday was the equivalent of a giant V-sign at the media and - much more importantly - the voters. Much has already been made of the fact that 33 ministers voted against reform. (Including Caroline Flint, Andy Burnham, Jacqui Smith, Paul Murphy and Shaun Woodward). While the Tory frontbench, and all Liberal Democrats, supported change. An equally fascinating fact is how many cabinet ministers stayed away in the knowledge that the proposals were... [read full story]