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| FORMAT: PARLIAMENT < RETURN > | FORMAT: PARLIAMENT < RETURN > |
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| The expenses scandal has sparked resignations, remorse and reimbursements and calls to reform Parliament. What if you started again, from scratch? | The expenses scandal has sparked resignations, remorse and reimbursements and calls to reform Parliament. What if you started again, from scratch? |
| Bathplugs, duck ponds and wisteria are the details people will remember amid the avalanche of dubious expense claims that have dominated the news for the past week. | Bathplugs, duck ponds and wisteria are the details people will remember amid the avalanche of dubious expense claims that have dominated the news for the past week. |
| Although minor pieces in the bigger picture, they play a much larger part in stoking public anger, and increasing the belief that the present system needs to change. | Although minor pieces in the bigger picture, they play a much larger part in stoking public anger, and increasing the belief that the present system needs to change. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has proposed handing the control of MPs' finances over to an external regulator, with tighter rules over what is an acceptable cost from the public purse. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has proposed handing the control of MPs' finances over to an external regulator, with tighter rules over what is an acceptable cost from the public purse. |
| Parliament needs to be yanked out of its fusty traditions, it's as if it has been preserved in formaldehyde for 500 years Political commentator Anthony Howard class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm">Time for a revolution? | |
| But so great is the level of condemnation, and the perception that MPs are out of touch, that the appetite for reform goes far beyond allowances. | But so great is the level of condemnation, and the perception that MPs are out of touch, that the appetite for reform goes far beyond allowances. |
| Any proposals to change the wider political system to make it more representative of ordinary people will find an audience more receptive now than it was a few weeks ago. | Any proposals to change the wider political system to make it more representative of ordinary people will find an audience more receptive now than it was a few weeks ago. |
| So if hundreds of years of Parliamentary custom was to be swept aside and the whole structure rebuilt, what would it look like? We look at five proposals. | So if hundreds of years of Parliamentary custom was to be swept aside and the whole structure rebuilt, what would it look like? We look at five proposals. |
| MAKE MPs GO SMART/CASUAL | MAKE MPs GO SMART/CASUAL |
| Parliament is wrapped up in tradition, pageantry and procedure. But what if you did away with all that knocking at the door for Black Rod, dressed in pantaloons and tights. | Parliament is wrapped up in tradition, pageantry and procedure. But what if you did away with all that knocking at the door for Black Rod, dressed in pantaloons and tights. |
| What if MPs were no longer addressed as "honourable", "learned" or "gallant", but simply Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms. | What if MPs were no longer addressed as "honourable", "learned" or "gallant", but simply Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms. |
| And if you quit, you simply say so. No more applying for the sinecure positions of Crown Steward and the Bailiff of Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead, which MPs have to do at the moment if they want to resign. | And if you quit, you simply say so. No more applying for the sinecure positions of Crown Steward and the Bailiff of Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead, which MPs have to do at the moment if they want to resign. |
| Do the customs of the House make it appear aloof? | Do the customs of the House make it appear aloof? |
| An all-out cull of the arcane, obscure and often bizarre language and traditions of parliament is the first thing that should change, says political commentator Anthony Howard - starting with all of the above. | An all-out cull of the arcane, obscure and often bizarre language and traditions of parliament is the first thing that should change, says political commentator Anthony Howard - starting with all of the above. |
| "Parliament needs to be yanked out of its fusty traditions, it's as if it has been preserved in formaldehyde for 500 years. They're all absurd and act as a barrier to public understanding. | "Parliament needs to be yanked out of its fusty traditions, it's as if it has been preserved in formaldehyde for 500 years. They're all absurd and act as a barrier to public understanding. |
| "For a start MPs should be able to wear jeans or whatever they want. There's no such thing as inappropriate dress these days so ditch the suits." | "For a start MPs should be able to wear jeans or whatever they want. There's no such thing as inappropriate dress these days so ditch the suits." |
| Return to link | Return to link |
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| 'STUDENT' HALLS AS SECOND HOMES | 'STUDENT' HALLS AS SECOND HOMES |
| Many of the worst examples of abuse of the allowance system have related to furnishing second homes. | Many of the worst examples of abuse of the allowance system have related to furnishing second homes. |
| No-one would dispute MPs with constituencies outside London need somewhere to stay near Westminster, but the second-home allowance does not appear to represent good value in many eyes. | No-one would dispute MPs with constituencies outside London need somewhere to stay near Westminster, but the second-home allowance does not appear to represent good value in many eyes. |
| Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, said it works out at about £192 a night, if MPs spend 120 nights a year at the House of Commons, which more than covers dinner, bed and breakfast at a reasonable London hotel. | Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, said it works out at about £192 a night, if MPs spend 120 nights a year at the House of Commons, which more than covers dinner, bed and breakfast at a reasonable London hotel. |
| But the idea of a courtesy chocolate on the pillow might not sate those who are calling for a display for austerity. So what about a giant halls of residence, reminiscent of university accommodation? | But the idea of a courtesy chocolate on the pillow might not sate those who are calling for a display for austerity. So what about a giant halls of residence, reminiscent of university accommodation? |
| The idea of Nicholas Soames in his boxer shorts... fills me with utter horror Michael Brown | The idea of Nicholas Soames in his boxer shorts... fills me with utter horror Michael Brown |
| That was the suggestion put forward by listeners to Radio 4's PM programme, and echoed by chef Antony Worrall Thompson - not an expert on constitutional matters, but someone who knows his way around the hospitality industry. He advocates "beautiful block of flats with gym and swimming pool" near central London, where MPs could stay after long days at the Commons. | That was the suggestion put forward by listeners to Radio 4's PM programme, and echoed by chef Antony Worrall Thompson - not an expert on constitutional matters, but someone who knows his way around the hospitality industry. He advocates "beautiful block of flats with gym and swimming pool" near central London, where MPs could stay after long days at the Commons. |
| Susie Squire from the Taxpayers' Alliance says it's the kind of radical solution required, either as a block of flats in one place or a number of flats scattered around London. | Susie Squire from the Taxpayers' Alliance says it's the kind of radical solution required, either as a block of flats in one place or a number of flats scattered around London. |
| It works very well in Sweden and Denmark, she says, but there's no obligation for MPs to take it and those who want to arrange their own accommodation can pay for it themselves. | It works very well in Sweden and Denmark, she says, but there's no obligation for MPs to take it and those who want to arrange their own accommodation can pay for it themselves. |
| But newspaper columnist and former Conservative MP Michael Brown thinks it would be unfair to expect elected representatives with children to abandon them in their constituency while in London. And he sees another problem. | But newspaper columnist and former Conservative MP Michael Brown thinks it would be unfair to expect elected representatives with children to abandon them in their constituency while in London. And he sees another problem. |
| "The idea of Nicholas Soames in his boxer shorts getting up in the morning and going to his communal fridge at the end of the corridor, as we all did at university, bumping into Douglas Hogg and all the rest of them in a similar state of attire, fills me with utter horror." | "The idea of Nicholas Soames in his boxer shorts getting up in the morning and going to his communal fridge at the end of the corridor, as we all did at university, bumping into Douglas Hogg and all the rest of them in a similar state of attire, fills me with utter horror." |
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| BRING ON THE MAVERICKS | BRING ON THE MAVERICKS |
| Television presenter Esther Rantzen has come to symbolize the "anti-expenses" voice of people fed up with mainstream political parties. | Television presenter Esther Rantzen has come to symbolize the "anti-expenses" voice of people fed up with mainstream political parties. |
| She is considering standing against Labour MP Margaret Moran, who claimed for treating dry rot at a house 100 miles from her Luton South constituency. | She is considering standing against Labour MP Margaret Moran, who claimed for treating dry rot at a house 100 miles from her Luton South constituency. |
| The scenario in Luton could be repeated elsewhere. Dozens of seats belonging to MPs caught up in the expenses scandal are suddenly seen as vulnerable. | The scenario in Luton could be repeated elsewhere. Dozens of seats belonging to MPs caught up in the expenses scandal are suddenly seen as vulnerable. |
| Inspired by Martin Bell, who beat Neil Hamilton in 1997 on an anti-sleaze ticket, hundreds of people are believed to be considering putting themselves forward. | Inspired by Martin Bell, who beat Neil Hamilton in 1997 on an anti-sleaze ticket, hundreds of people are believed to be considering putting themselves forward. |
| Richard Taylor swept to victory in 2001 on a single issue - a local hospital | Richard Taylor swept to victory in 2001 on a single issue - a local hospital |
| Jury Team, an umbrella group that launched in March, offers financial support for independent candidates to "shake up the old order". | Jury Team, an umbrella group that launched in March, offers financial support for independent candidates to "shake up the old order". |
| Using an "X Factor-style" online election process, they hope to make a splash at the European elections in June, before winning 50 to 60 seats at a General Election. | Using an "X Factor-style" online election process, they hope to make a splash at the European elections in June, before winning 50 to 60 seats at a General Election. |
| "People don't see independents as having a chance to get elected because they can't compete with the big mainstream parties -red, blue and yellow - which have a brand and a clear logo," says Jury's campaign manager Dylan Sharpe. | "People don't see independents as having a chance to get elected because they can't compete with the big mainstream parties -red, blue and yellow - which have a brand and a clear logo," says Jury's campaign manager Dylan Sharpe. |
| "We aren't creating a new party but a brand name under which candidates can stand. | "We aren't creating a new party but a brand name under which candidates can stand. |
| "Candidates have different manifestos but they all stand for good governance, which is democracy, accountability and transparency." | "Candidates have different manifestos but they all stand for good governance, which is democracy, accountability and transparency." |
| The hope is that candidates can be "free-thinkers" who vote according to the needs of constituents and not the instructions of the party whips. | The hope is that candidates can be "free-thinkers" who vote according to the needs of constituents and not the instructions of the party whips. |
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| UNSEAT THE LORDS | UNSEAT THE LORDS |
| Although focus in the last fortnight has been on the Commons, it is the upper chamber that for some people most acutely represents how out-of-touch the political system has become. | Although focus in the last fortnight has been on the Commons, it is the upper chamber that for some people most acutely represents how out-of-touch the political system has become. |
| Among 746 peers in the House of Lords, 92 are there by birthright, and 26 are drawn from the Church of England. The rest are appointed by the prime minister and described as life peers - although the leader of the opposition also has nominations accepted. | Among 746 peers in the House of Lords, 92 are there by birthright, and 26 are drawn from the Church of England. The rest are appointed by the prime minister and described as life peers - although the leader of the opposition also has nominations accepted. |
| MPs last year indicated they wanted the chamber to be 80% or 100% elected, and Justice Secretary Jack Straw has proposed reducing the number of peers to 450, abolishing the hereditary ones, keeping the bishops and lengthening terms to between 12 and 15 years. | MPs last year indicated they wanted the chamber to be 80% or 100% elected, and Justice Secretary Jack Straw has proposed reducing the number of peers to 450, abolishing the hereditary ones, keeping the bishops and lengthening terms to between 12 and 15 years. |
| No changes will take place until after the next general election, says Mr Straw, but campaigners are demanding that be brought forward in light of the present public anger. | No changes will take place until after the next general election, says Mr Straw, but campaigners are demanding that be brought forward in light of the present public anger. |
| Ashley Dé, spokesman for the Electoral Reform Society, says: "People have been describing this as the most important time for reform since the Great Reform Act. | Ashley Dé, spokesman for the Electoral Reform Society, says: "People have been describing this as the most important time for reform since the Great Reform Act. |
| "Well, the government needs to add substance to these claims. This moment is going to pass." | "Well, the government needs to add substance to these claims. This moment is going to pass." |
| The complexion of a new Lords would have to be different from the Commons, he says, and any reform would need to be part of a wider package of measures including the introduction of proportional representation voting. | The complexion of a new Lords would have to be different from the Commons, he says, and any reform would need to be part of a wider package of measures including the introduction of proportional representation voting. |
| But critics of reforming the Lords question whether an elected upper chamber would challenge the primacy of the Commons, and may dilute the expertise of peers. | But critics of reforming the Lords question whether an elected upper chamber would challenge the primacy of the Commons, and may dilute the expertise of peers. |
| Return to link | Return to link |
| TIME'S UP, BIG BEN | TIME'S UP, BIG BEN |
| What better way to signal a new era than by unveiling a new home? The Houses of Parliament may be iconic but has it had its day? | What better way to signal a new era than by unveiling a new home? The Houses of Parliament may be iconic but has it had its day? |
| "The problem with the building is that it was built like a gentleman's club," says award-winning architect Ian Simpson. "It's all about keeping people out and keeping what goes on inside private. | "The problem with the building is that it was built like a gentleman's club," says award-winning architect Ian Simpson. "It's all about keeping people out and keeping what goes on inside private. |
| "If I could start from scratch I'd open it up, place politics in a transparent shell and make the building a metaphor for openness. You'd be able to see through the building from Parliament Square to the River Thames. | "If I could start from scratch I'd open it up, place politics in a transparent shell and make the building a metaphor for openness. You'd be able to see through the building from Parliament Square to the River Thames. |
| "The Commons chamber would be laid out in a horseshoe shape and not the divisive arrangement we have now with opposing sides." | "The Commons chamber would be laid out in a horseshoe shape and not the divisive arrangement we have now with opposing sides." |
| Architect Paul Karausevic says some ideas he's seen over the years have included taking parliament out of this world completely and creating a virtual home for it. | Architect Paul Karausevic says some ideas he's seen over the years have included taking parliament out of this world completely and creating a virtual home for it. |
| "Everything would happen in cyber space," he says. | "Everything would happen in cyber space," he says. |
| That really would put an end to second home allowances. Return to link | That really would put an end to second home allowances. Return to link |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |