Open Letter to the Speaker From Lib Dem PPCs

It is not just sitting MPs that are being affected by the fallout over MPs' expenses and the Speaker's poor handling of the whole scenario, it is also those that are seeking to stand as an alternative.

Therefore the letter that follows from 56 Lib Dem PPCs in an election year is unprecedented, but shows that we need to clear this whole shambles up now, or as soon as possible, so that those who will be standing in the next General Election are not being tarnished by the sins of their forebears.


Dear Mr Speaker,

As Parliament continues to be dragged down by the allowance system, and
its rules, the role of those in public service across the country is
being undermined.

We are Liberal Democrat candidates seeking to be elected to Parliament
and yet we find ourselves disappointed, and frustrated, at the way in
which this matter is being handled. Every day our residents are telling
us loudly that this must stop and this must stop now.

Three things stand out:

- The resistance to the releasing of these documents and the attempt to
exclude Parliament from the Freedom of Information requirements

- The way in which Norman Baker and Kate Hoey were treated when they
sought to raise legitimate concerns

- The fact that, through you, Parliament could now release the
information into the public domain and cut short this parade of drip-fed
news and empower MPs and citizens through a new transparent relationship.

It is vital that Parliament must become transparent and accountable now.
We call on you, as Speaker of the House, to do everything within your
power to force the full publication of all expenses immediately. We also
call on you to accept the independent review of MPs expenses and
salaries chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly.

If you are unable to do this we then ask you to consider your position.
Time is running out for politicians of all parties to repair the damage
to our democracy.

Yours sincerely

56 Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates

Ed Fordham, Hampstead and Kilburn
Sal Brinton, Watford
Andrew Simpson, Northampton North
Bridget Fox, Islington South & Finsbury
Duncan Borrowman, Old Bexley and Sidcup
Steve Goddard, Oxford East
Adrian Collett, Aldershot
Adam Carew, East Hampshire
Gareth Epps, Reading East
Sally Morgan, Central Devon
Sue Doughty, Guildford
Rebecca Hunt. Chatham & Aylesford
Sarah Carr, Hereford and South Herefordshire
Guy Voizey Canterbury and Whitstable
Jo Shaw, Holborn and St Pancras
Liz Leffman, Meon Vallley
Merlene Emerson, Hammersmith
Sandy Walkington, St Albans
Richard Burt, West Worcestershire
Caroline Pigeon, Vauxhall
Kevin Lang, Edinburgh North & Leith
Andrew Dakers, Brentford and Isleworth
Andrew Duffield,Hexham
David Kendall, Brentwood and Ongar
Ann Haigh, Epping Forest
Simon Wright, Norwich South
Liz Simpson, Tonbridge and Malling
Sam Webber, Bromley and Chislehurst
Rabi Martins - Luton North
Greg Stone, Newcastle East
Theo Butt-Philip, Bridgwater and West Somerset
Dave Radcliffe, Birmingham Selly Oak
Richard Clein, Sefton Central
Mike Cox, Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Andy Stamp, Gillingham & Rainham
Stephen Lloyd, Eastbourne & Willingdon
Mark Blackburn, Westminster North
Denis Healy, Hull North
Robin Lawrence, Wolverhampton South West
Alex Feakes, Lewisham and West Penge
Andrew Falconer, Brighton Pavilion
Dave McBride, Orpington
Nigel Quinton, Hitchin & Harpenden
Alan Beddow, Warwick and Leamington
David Goodall, Southampton Itchen
Ryk Downes, Leeds Central
Chris Took, Ashford
Peter Wilcock, Saffron Walden
Karen Hamilton, Birmingham Perry Barr
Qurban Hussain, Luton South
Keith Angus, Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford
Mike Bell, Weston-super-Mare
Dave Raval, Hackney South and Shoreditch
Fred Mackintosh, Edinburgh South
Munira Wilson, Feltham and Heston
Paul Zukowskyj, Welwyn Hatfield