The expenses debate, we have had it spooned to us in every newspaper and TV programme that is concerned with current events, MP's have been named and shamed and some have even been made to step down.

The latest item to come from this is the announcement that all expenses will now be governed by an independant body, and if refused there is no right to appeal.

Now I dont know about you, but I feel that the fact that we, the tax payer has to pay for that very expensive second home, and it's upkeep a tad sickening, especially when a lot of us struggle to maintain the ordinary mortgage/rent, so they need somewhere to stay through the week when they are in London, would it not be more economical to the tax payer to have a block of apartments for this? MP's could then rent their second homes at a budget rent, saving the tax payer thousands, Yes the MP's may object to not having the luxury of a five bedroom house with acres of garden space, but after all this is only their second residence and it should be treated as an interim not a permanent place.

What I find even more annoying, and that is putting it mildly is the fact that MP's have their council tax paid! Now we all have to pay this outdated government taxation, and for many of us it is a struggle, for even more it has resulted in court hearings because you dared to miss a payment, to learn that those that can afford to pay it are actually having it paid by us, as well as us having to pay our own, makes you want to tell the Prime minister and his lackies just where they can put it!

Gordon Brown needs to do more than just overhaul the way that expenses are claimed, he needs to take a serious look at what is being claimed, why should we have to pay for Council tax and mortgage interest on second properties because we work hard to try and maintain what little we ourselves have? Do you want to vote someone into Government knowing that you are going to pay to keep them in luxury for the next five years, while you struggle to maintain a decent standard of living?

Will it be surprising if even less people turn out to vote now than did before?

Whats your opinion on what the MP's should and should not be allowed?