Spelthorne's Conservative MP fails to explain why he is near the top of the parliamentary expenses league

7.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Mark Chapman - Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman

Mark Chapman, the Spelthorne Liberal Democrats parliamentary spokesman, is not satisfied with the MPs explanation of his excessive expenses claims and has written to the Surrey Herald saying so.

To the Editor of the Surrey Herald

I read the article last week about David Wilshire's expenses with considerable surprise. The public have been making clear their anger at the claims made by MPs, and some of the revelations about our local MP have attracted wide criticism, much of which I believe is justified. Despite this, Mr Wilshire is clearly unrepentant in the face of the mood of his voters, noting with smug satisfaction that his party have not asked him to pay money back.

The public rightly question why claims for travel from Somerset are considered acceptable, and don't understand why MPs claim hundreds of pounds for food despite already having a heavily subsidised restaurant to eat in. Mr Wilshire and his local colleagues remain defiant. That they are so out of touch with Spelthorne people beggars belief.

Perhaps once the votes are counted at the next General Election, which will be held in the next 12 months, he will finally grasp the public mood. MPs must always justify themselves to their electorate. Our MPs failure to do so is woeful.

Yours faithfully,

Mark Chapman

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Spelthorne

Related Link:

Surrey Herald article on MPs expense claims.