Quitting MP slates 'weak Commons'

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A Conservative MP has attacked the House of Commons for being "weak" and full of "professional politicians" after saying he would quit Parliament.

Paul Goodman, MP for Wycombe, said his decision to stand down at the next election had nothing to do with his own expenses claims.

But he said the expenses scandal would further weaken the institution.

"MPs are increasingly changing from elected representatives into professional politicians," he said.

'Sickness'

"The tragedy of the expenses scandal is that, in consequence, the Commons is likely to receive a bigger dose of the medicine that is causing the sickness - namely professional politics," Mr Goodman - a shadow communities minister - added.

"Such a future House of Commons isn't for me."

While claiming the Commons was weak, Mr Goodman said he believed a future Tory government would be "strong and effective".

Some MPs have expressed concerns about new rules requiring them to disclose all income they earn on top of their parliamentary salaries.

More than a dozen Tory and Labour MPs have said they will stand down since the expenses scandal broke nearly a month ago.

Some have been forced out by the leadership of the two main parties while others have stood down for family or personal reasons.