COMMENT: Excuse us, but isn’t it our money?

8:29am Thursday 15th May 2008

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NOW we have heard it all. The wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons has been cleared after a complaint that she used taxpayers' money to fund taxi fares for shopping trips - because she is allowed to do it.

As unbelievable as it may sound, Michael Martin's wife Mary is given a £2,500 annual allowance to pay for taxis used when she goes grocery shopping.

So we are all paying for Mrs Martin's weekly trips to Tesco.

The more that is known about MPs' expenses and allowances, the more ridiculous the system is revealed to be. The Martins originally claimed the shopping was for official functions. During the investigation by Parliament's sleaze watchdog, however, they admitted they consumed most of the food bought. And still they are not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg reveals that he spent more than £7,000 of taxpayers' money renovating his constituency home in Sheffield. The money was used for new carpets, curtains and light fittings among other items.

All this is happening, let us not forget, against a backdrop of the Speaker leading a High Court challenge against the detailed publication of MPs' expenses.

It is time for Parliament to take a reality check. Its systems are outmoded, outdated and out of step with the 21st century.

And somewhere along the line it might be beneficial for MPs to be reminded that this is our money they are spending.