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It seems the recent uproar over expenses has sunk respect for MPs lower than ever in the eyes of the public.
While we have every right to scrutinise those who manipulate or milk the system for personal gain, there is a risk of healthy cynicism, with a system that blatantly needs reform, becoming overextended, throwing the baby out with the bathwater so-to-speak.
There are still some wonderful public servants in Parliament, let us not forget. Important and highly successful legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 would not have come about if it weren't for those forgotten back bench heroes who fight for social justice in an inherently unjust system. We need those MPs who are in touch with ordinary people and constantly strive for reform, to iron out the creases.
Whether it's labour rights or equality legislation, a lot of the work of these men and women is taken for granted, as all we see is the final synthesis of years of campaigning, late nights and pressure on the central powers of Whitehall, who must answer to many special interests, not just the people's.
It is a perpetual tug of war, and the more people pulling their weight on the side of the people, the more we can shape society in favour of our interests, as opposed to interests of the financial and corporate elite. "There are more of us than them".
Without the support of our representatives to pull political weight for workers, minorities and victims of social and economic injustice, we would not have many of the benefits we take for granted today. And hopefully, we will continue to support our constituant MPs, and not presume them cut from the same corrupt cloth, when they can prove to us they are on our side.
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