I am still waiting for the Hexham Courant, and The Journal for that matter (!), to publish my letter containing my pledges concerning the claiming of Parliamentary expenses. Since I can't wait forever, here's what I said:
Dear Sir:
As the Labour Party's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Hexham at the next general election, and as someone who has spent his entire career working in the private sector where fiddling expenses is a straightforward sackable offence, I am appalled at the recent revelations concerning MPs' expense claims. Thank goodness the truth has finally come out.
I would like to put on record the following five pledges which will govern my conduct if I have the privilege of being elected to Parliament next year:
1. As a parliamentary candidate, I will subscribe to high standards of integrity, transparency, accountability and financial economy.
2. I do not seek elected office for personal gain but to serve the public.
3. I will publish my expenses online within a month of submitting them and publicise them annually in full to my constituents.
4. I will hold regular meetings with my community and will report back regularly to my constituency party.
5. I will apply the principle of best value to all decisions I make which involve the use of public money to cover my duties, including travel and accommodation.
Yours faithfully,
Antoine Tinnion
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Hexham
