Jacqui Smith: fall guy for a doomed species

MPs have only themselves to blame. They have had decades to sort themselves out and bring themselves, first, into the 20th century, and latterly, into the 21st century.

Their expenses regime, which they alone vote on, brings politics into considerable disrepute. Unfortunately for her, Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, has been the fall guy.

But members of all parties are at it. And there are some noteworthy instances in all parties of people who are not.

When I first started as a journalist, our expenses system had a whiff of theirs. No more. Why, we even have to tell the Inland Revenue every time you pass wind.

The truth of the matter is that by doing nothing, MPs may have detonated even the opportunity to safeguard the expenses they actually need.

Tonight they’re looking like a doomed species – unfit for purpose in a world facing economic meltdown.