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Political fall-out from expenses Political fall-out from expenses
(about 6 hours later)
Analysis By Ross Hawkins Political correspondent, BBC NewsAnalysis By Ross Hawkins Political correspondent, BBC News
The weather matched the gloomy mood at WestminsterThe weather matched the gloomy mood at Westminster
"The bloodfest has got to stop," the then justice minister Shahid Malik said after details of his expenses were splashed across the front of Daily Telegraph."The bloodfest has got to stop," the then justice minister Shahid Malik said after details of his expenses were splashed across the front of Daily Telegraph.
Within a couple of hours he resigned. A standards advisor is investigating his rent arrangements, and whether, as a minister, he should have declared them. Within a couple of hours he resigned. A standards adviser is investigating his rent arrangements, and whether, as a minister, he should have declared them.
He may yet get his job back, but he faces a very public wait to learn his fate.He may yet get his job back, but he faces a very public wait to learn his fate.
Shahid Malik is not the only MP who will come under close scrutiny in the coming days.Shahid Malik is not the only MP who will come under close scrutiny in the coming days.
The Conservative Andrew MacKay - who stood down as David Cameron's aide after revelations about his expenses - will put himself before a meeting of constituents to hear what they make of the stories about him.The Conservative Andrew MacKay - who stood down as David Cameron's aide after revelations about his expenses - will put himself before a meeting of constituents to hear what they make of the stories about him.
The former Labour minister Elliot Morley has referred his own expense claims - which saw him suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party - to the Standards watchdog.The former Labour minister Elliot Morley has referred his own expense claims - which saw him suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party - to the Standards watchdog.
There have been a number of complaints made to the police.There have been a number of complaints made to the police.
Ballot boxBallot box
It all means that even once the Daily Telegraph has published every last detail from its trove of expenses slips, the story will keep running.It all means that even once the Daily Telegraph has published every last detail from its trove of expenses slips, the story will keep running.
Politicians know voters are angry.Politicians know voters are angry.
If they hadn't picked that up from their own constituency surgeries and campaigning, the sight of a Question Time audience heckling as Sir Menzies Campbell, Margaret Beckett and Theresa May tried to explain their own claims made the situation plain.If they hadn't picked that up from their own constituency surgeries and campaigning, the sight of a Question Time audience heckling as Sir Menzies Campbell, Margaret Beckett and Theresa May tried to explain their own claims made the situation plain.
What no one knows yet is what this public mood will mean at the ballot box.What no one knows yet is what this public mood will mean at the ballot box.
A general election will take place next year at the latest.A general election will take place next year at the latest.
But the UK-wide European - and English local - elections take place within weeks.But the UK-wide European - and English local - elections take place within weeks.
The conventional wisdom is that smaller parties not represented at Westminster - and so untouched by this week's stories - might benefit.The conventional wisdom is that smaller parties not represented at Westminster - and so untouched by this week's stories - might benefit.
Dramatic impactDramatic impact
A YouGov poll for the Sun suggests the story could be more complicated. It suggests support for the UK Independence Party in the European poll at 15%, only five percentage points short of Labour's standing. The Green Party and the BNP attract just 6% and 3% support respectively.A YouGov poll for the Sun suggests the story could be more complicated. It suggests support for the UK Independence Party in the European poll at 15%, only five percentage points short of Labour's standing. The Green Party and the BNP attract just 6% and 3% support respectively.
The picture was clearer when respondents were asked about their voting intentions in a general election. Labour suffered, attracting an all time low of just 22% support, compared with the Conservatives' 41% and Liberal Democrats' 19%.The picture was clearer when respondents were asked about their voting intentions in a general election. Labour suffered, attracting an all time low of just 22% support, compared with the Conservatives' 41% and Liberal Democrats' 19%.
That data comes from just one poll. More information will be needed to come to firm conclusions. It also fails to show how many people will simply choose not to vote.That data comes from just one poll. More information will be needed to come to firm conclusions. It also fails to show how many people will simply choose not to vote.
But there is little doubt now the expenses row will have a dramatic impact on the political futures not just of individual MPs but their parties.But there is little doubt now the expenses row will have a dramatic impact on the political futures not just of individual MPs but their parties.
And as Shahid Malik has probably noticed - there is no sign of the "bloodfest" coming to an end just yet.And as Shahid Malik has probably noticed - there is no sign of the "bloodfest" coming to an end just yet.