THE MPs abdicated their duty to constituents by cheering through Gordon Brown’s plans to loot pension funds while greatly enhancing their already generous pensions (Secrecy MP got quad bike on expenses, News and A dark day for MPs, Editorial, last week). Today, the average MP is paid roughly three times the national average and claims five times that sum in “expenses”. The support for the bill to exempt MPs from the Freedom of Information Act is a clear declaration that they fear there is misconduct for the media to uncover. A new case for Yates of the Yard?

Alan Bailey, Warrington

ABUSING A FREEDOM: I shall never vote Conservative or Labour again after the way the bill has been passed with the tacit blessing of the two main parties. We have to stump up millions to keep this crew and will no doubt soon be “asked” to provide millions more to fund the parties. I thought the European Union was sleazy, but this takes the biscuit.

Graham Nixey, Oxford

COSTLY BUSINESS: As the director of a small business I account for every penny spent to the tax authorities. It is time consuming but I don’t question the need to carry it out and am spending my own money.

Dr Liane Smith Rowton, Chester

THE RIGHT TO KNOW: Nobody wants to pry into private letters, but we should know how the MPs are spending our money. Considering all the perks and subsidies in parliament - cheap booze, food, etc - most MPs expenses are astronomical.

J Leigh, London SW15

PUBLIC SCRUTINY: I spent some 20 years in service to the Crown and expenses paid had to be requested through official channels, subject to review. There were careers in tatters (including forfeiture of pension) when irregularities were discovered - some trivial. Too many MPs forget they are paid by us and their benefits should be open to public scrutiny.

Ron Connelly, Dunfermline, Fife

GOOD LORDS? It’s now up to the Lords. In the last few years we have had to thank the Lords for being a barrier, although a flimsy one, against nonsense enacted by the government.

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

MPs’ SHAME: We have short memories when time comes to vote but I for one have put a note in to recall this shameful episode at the next election.

Peter Bamford, Kingston upon Thames

SLEAZE-BUSTER: If David Cameron wishes to show his mettle he should suspend the 18 Tory MPs who supported the bill. It would make a statement about where he stands on sleaze.

Mark Summers, Sevenoaks, Kent

SELFMINISTER! The MPs at Selfminister also refused to renew the contract of the ombudsman appointed to oversee their standards of behaviour - too critical. Great start to Gordon’s 100 days.

Richard James, Clifton

Explore Letters

• Feedback