I happened to be one of those who thought all these expenses necessary, and I had the good fortune to have the majority of both houses of Parliament on my side.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I understand the damage the expenses crisis has done to Parliament, and the paramount importance of restoring trust in our politics.
I had almost forgotten to tell you that I have already been to the Parliament House; and yet this is of most importance. For, had I seen nothing else in England but this, I should have thought my journey thither amply rewarded.
No, I'm not rich. I had a tax problem in this country, curiously enough, and my accountant said the British government was patently wrong in taxing me, and they were, but we couldn't persuade them and it cost me everything I had.
My function in life is not to be a politician in Parliament: it is to get something done.
I owed it to my father that I was elected to Parliament in the first place, but I owed it to my mother that I stuck it out once I got there.
It was a bit of a surprise when I became a Tory MP. My friends said it was a stupid idea.
I've been in Parliament since 1983, and I've been involved in many issues over the time.
It is true that I entered parliament at the age of 23, and have now been representing the people of my constituency for over twenty years.
The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.
Basically, I have no place in organized politics. By coming to the British Parliament, I've allowed the people to sacrifice me at the top and let go the more effective job I should be doing at the bottom.