MPs destroying democracy

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 9th May 2009

Graham Oakes, the Lib Dem PPC for Exeter has accused some Members of Parliament of "destroying democracy".

He said "The actions of a number of MPs, some of them government ministers, have seriously damaged the standing of parliament and of political parties in general. By choosing to exploit the system for their own personal gain they have created a toxic atmosphere that is destroying democracy."

"People are genuinely angry about the actions of MPs as they use taxpayers' money - our money - to refurbish a series of properties, then selling them and pocketing the cash. They are angry that these people switch which residence they classify as their second home to maximise the amount they can claim. They are angry that these MPs are given tax free money to buy luxury items, things that the rest of us have to work hard to save up for."

"I think what makes people most angry is the arrogant attitude of these MPs, as they merely repeat the mantra 'it was allowed by the rules'. Surely they should know the difference between right and wrong."

"The government calls for wage restraint, whilst its own ministers are manipulating the system to allow them to make many thousands of pounds extra on top of their wages. Are they that far removed from normal public opinion that they can't see that people see this as total hypocrisy?"

"MPs made these rules up and MPs then exploited them - this can not be allowed to continue."

"The actions of these MPs reminds me of the pigs in Animal Farm, where the pigs were looking after themselves even when everyone else was suffering. During a serious economic recession our politicians need to get their noses out of the trough."