Eric in a bit of a pickle – but there’s a wider debate

From LabourList

Last night on Question Time, Eric Pickles justified expenses for MPs’ second homes, saying they were reasonable because MPs “had to be there to move amendments”.

He said of his 37 mile commute “I was leaving home at 5.30 in the morning and getting in at 1…it is no fun”.

The discussion followed a week in which Tony McNulty and Dawn Butler had both attracted similar criticism.

So this weekend, with no partisan agenda, we’re asking:

Should MPs of all parties be subject to stricter and clearer rules on housing and travel allowances and should there be reform to ensure less ambiguity in this area so that no one can exploit the system?

If reform is needed, what do people feel is a fair amount to pay MPs?

What about cabinet ministers?