A political year without parallel

Sir Thomas Legg's findings are, of course, damning. Regrettably, they were unsurprising as MPs were compelled to pay back more than 1m that they claimed wrongly – or face having their salary docked.

However, it is impossible to put a price on the true cost of this scandal. Greedy MPs have undermined the reputation of Parliament and damaged our democracy.

Their inability to grasp the strength of public feeling on this issue plays into the hands of the "anyone but the above party" at a time when electoral apathy is at an all-time high.

The latest review found a system which was deeply flawed, and administered by a Fees Office which was "vulnerable to the influence of higher authorities" within the Commons as MPs flexed their muscles with typical arrogance.

The 1.13m now being repaid includes 6,500 claimed by former Sheffield Hillsborough MP Helen Jackson for a new central heating system in her second home – just two months before she stood down in 2005. She claims she placed the order a year earlier, but such justification did not

wash with Sir Thomas's review and will not impress voters who have become highly sceptical of such explanations.

Since the scandal broke, the one accusation which cannot be levelled against MPs is inactivity. There have been countless reviews, recommendations and the creation of a new body, The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which is to draw up new rules.

There is no question that the system needs to be reformed, but this issue has already dominated Westminster for almost a year.

At a time when the nation is in financial meltdown, taxpayers have a right to expect leadership from their elected representatives. Instead, they are now witness to the sorry spectacle of MPs reaching for their cheque books.

For the sake of Parliament and the country, it is imperative that this sad chapter draws to a close so a fresh start – one based on

transparency, probity and integrity – can be made at the General Election.