Main Home/Second Home - Anyone 'At Home'?

Guido Fawkes picks up on the story of Jonathan Lewis, Conservative MP, who is the latest to suffer the media spotlight on the question of allowances for 'second homes'

The News of the World story can be read here and Lewis' rebuttal on ConHome here.

I can understand from whence Douglas Carswell is coming in his post 'Iain is right to ask' but however remain convinced that MPs, or anyone, standing for public office should disclose their address. It is an unfortunate fact that whilst we have this 'grey' area of first/second home allowances the public will remain suspicious, regardless how much MPs protest their innocence and that they are 'sticking to the rules'.

Perhaps there is something to be said for providing blocks of flats, for which a rent should be charged, for any MP wishing to remain in London. Another aspect of this question of allowances is that if members of the public are supposed to travel to work - a journey possibly of circa 60/90 minutes, or more - and pay for the privilege too, then so should MPs. A situation whereby an MP lives half an hour from Westminster and yet still qualifies for a 'second home' is nothing but a joke!