How MPs' expenses should work

The Express reveals more about Jacqui Smith's expenses today, while the Mail disses Harry Cohen, Jacqui Lait, and Bob Neill.

Just to be clear - they're all guilty.

The presumption should be that an MP's main home is in their constituency.

If that is too far away for them to commute like ordinary mortals, they can be put up in flats owned by the state. They will be lodgers, but they will pay for their own food.

Thus

• Ms Smith's main home would be in Redditch. In London, use the grace and favour apartment or stay elsewhere at your own expense.
  
• Harry Cohen's would be in Leyton. No flat, he can easily commute.
• Jacqui Lait's main home for parliamentary purposes would be in Beckenham. No flat, she too can easily commute.
• Bob Neill's main home would be in Bromley/Chislehurst. No flat, he too can easily commute.

The MPs' outlying properties in Colchester, Sussex and Southend would be irrelevant. If they want to maintain a property outside their constituency, that's up to them.