Burstow's expenses: No moats, no duck houses, no second home

4.39.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Jun 2009

MP for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow, has welcomed the publication of all MPs expenses as a chance to show constituents he has never claimed for a second home, food or furniture even if that was within 'the rules'.

Attempts to stop the publication made by Labour and Conservative MPs have been defeated by the Liberal Democrats who have consistently voted in favour of letting the public see what their MP is claiming.

The allowances spent by Mr Burstow have been solely used to cover office and staffing costs; essential for him to be able to carry out his duties as a local MP and work on behalf of his constituents.

Speaking after the publication Mr Burstow said:

'When I was elected in 1997 I made the decision not to claim what was allowed according to 'the rules' but only what is necessary for my job representing my constituents.

'I have been disgusted by the abuses that have been revealed in the last few weeks and it has brought the reputation of Parliament to an all time low.

'Not everyone is guilty of property speculation, inventing mortgages or housing the local duck population; what is less well known is that most 'expenses' claimed by MPs are the costs of running an office and paying their staff.

'I hope what's been published demonstrates to constituents that my claims are reassuringly mundane and small in comparison to what we've seen exposed recently. They are made up of the usual office costs phone bills, equipment, maintenance etc necessary for my constituency office on Sutton High Street.

'I have always voted in favour of greater transparency and for reform of the expenses system but this was always thwarted by other parties in the past. Now we have seen how far the rot had set in it's clear why they wanted secrecy.

'The current system has failed and a new one must have the confidence of the public. I share the frustration and outrage of those outside parliament at the recent revelations, and will do my utmost inside parliament to ensure there is root and branch reform.'

To understand more about what I have claimed for please see - http://www.paulburstow.org.uk/pages/expense.html