In response to a comment by Desmond Turner (Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown) who complained in a debate in the House of Commons that MPs were fed up with being criticised for employing research staff, Harrriet Harman, Leader of the House, gave a perfect example of political corruption.

Miss Harman replied, "Everybody in this country would agree that it is important that legislation is properly scrutinised. A strong Parliament is necessary for a strong democracy."

I am sure we would all agree that that is a wonderful sentiment. However, this is the same Leader of the House who allowed her Government to force the Lisbon Treaty through the Commons without line- by- line scrutiny!!

Political expendiency is the same as political corruption. Changing practice to suit your own agenda is corruption, as is forcing MP's to vote in a particular manner according to the party whip.

The only way we can rid the country of political corruption is to elect Independents and banish party politics to the garbage heap, along with its MP's.