MEMBERS of Parliament have shown us all they have created not just an exclusive benefit system for their own ends but in doing so have made the House of Commons a sanctuary of secrecy and would have continued to do so but for the publication of details by a national newspaper.

The party "system" of selection now has to be seriously questioned and no doubt the emphasis will be on local residents taking priority to represent their local communities in Westminster.

There were very few, if any, offenders in the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh Assembly and the message stemming from that should be an English Parliament (not regional government) with fewer MPs offering far more scrutiny within the House and more focused "select committees" open to the general public via Westminster Hall.

After the debacle on expenses and the "cover-up" led by the Speaker of the house, I would hate to see the House of Lords as simply a duplication of the Commons and its practices; currently the Lords offer greater democracy not less, however it is less expensive and does "volunteer" its talents"!

As for the Speaker, his portrayal of Pontius Pilate washing his hands reflected the attitude of the whole house and its system.

Certainly, career politicians create bad practice. But the traditionalists have shown it to be a habit.

The terms "my honourable friend" coupled to "honourable members" no longer stand, indeed the use of their names would remove the sanctuary.

To shout to us, the public, of "reform" might be better suited via an "act of settlement between us all!"

Brian A Oldham, Normandy Road, Cleethorpes.