It really is disgusting that MPs who do not stand at the next election are entitled to thousands of pounds of our money when they stand down – despite having plenty of time to make their own arrangements for a life after Parliament.

How much is due to be paid to the MPs standing down due to the expenses saga? An extortionate amount (estimates by the BBC):

• Ben Chapman: £36,269
• Derek Conway: £64,766
• Douglas Hogg: £59,585
• Julie Kirkbride: £32,383
• Andrew MacKay: £64,766
• Margaret Moran: £54, 403
• Anthony Steen: £32,383
• Peter Viggers: £32,383

For the MacKay-Kirkbride household alone, that’s £97,000!

How can it be justified? MPs who stand down between general elections and spark by-elections don’t get this golden goodbye, so why do those who stand down at general elections get it? They’re in the same situation!

This money should, obviously, exist for MPs who are voted out at a general election. It is, effectively, a redundancy payment – though far more generous than most in the private sector. This is, though, simply because time spent being a backbench MP doesn’t really qualify you for (m)any other jobs and so getting one is likely to be quite hard, espiecally now.

Credit must be given to Nick Clegg for arguing this line. This situation is as bad as that of MPs expenses itself, and needs to be fixed as well, if politicians are going to have any chance of redeeming themselves in the eyes of the public.