My pledge to you

Kevin Davis writes:

The scandal of MPs expenses has bought shame on all politicians. It is now clear that there are very few MPs who have not in some way used their expenses in a manner which makes us all shocked and furious.

Even Yeovil's Lib Dem MP, who I believe to be an honourable person, has questions to answer on his expenses:

• Should the taxpayer be paying £9,000 for his food shopping bill?
• Should the taxpayer have paid £10,500 for the cleaning and maintenance of a flat that the Telegraph tells us has a “24hr concierge, gym and luxury spa”?
• Should the taxpayer have paid for bath towels?
• Why did the Lib Dem MP feel it necessary to spend over £600 of taxpayers money on a professional photo-shoot with him as the model?
• Is paying £13,500 for his sharing an office space with Yeovil Liberal Democrats really the lowest rental he can pay for an office in Yeovil?
  
• Why does he claim for travelling by car from the constituency to Westminster when he recently told Crewkerne residents that they must “use it or lose it” when it comes to Crewkerne Station ticket office?

I want to clean-up politics and for the country to have a new start by moving away from the politics of the past and electing me as your Member of Parliament.

I calculate that there are over 2,300 politicians who have some control over the lives of the people of Somerset; be that in Brussels, Westminster or our own local Government. I believe there should be a lot less MPs and more powers should be given to local councils who you can influence directly.

It is time for change and it is time for a new breed of MP who does not see Westminster as a career choice but as a privelage and an honour. Too many MPs worked for poltical think tanks or research departments and that should stop.

But, I will also condemn any politician, from any party, who is not able to sign up to some basic pedges to the voters in Yeovil. If I were your MP this would be my contract with you.

• I will publish in detail, online, all expenses reclaimed in the pursuit of my parliamentary duties
• I will open up the unedited expenses claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year
• I will never claim for food, furniture or household goods
• I will always put the interests of Yeovil above my own or my Party’s
• I will have a home in the constituency, among the community I serve
  
• I will serve all my constituents, regardless of their politics
• I will never promise what I know I cannot deliver
• I will never knowingly claim credit for something when the credit is not mine
• I will act with honesty, integrity, openness and candour at all times
• I will tell people my real views, even when I know they will disagree with me

Politics should be about Principles, not Personalities, and we need a new Yeovil MP in Parliament to bring about change that will improve your lives and given you faith in politicians.

Best,

Kevin