After a weekend of revelations in the national newspapers about the spending habits of politicians, the local MP and prospective candidates are in agreement in their criticisms of the existing system.

Current SNP MP Angus Macneil, whose own expenses have not been revealed, said that action was needed.
"It is certainly very clear that reform of MPs' expenses is required," he said.
"Westminster need to follow the lead of the Scottish Parliament who has managed to show transparency with regards expenses. Once again, Scotland leads the way!"

The local SNP office is not in receipt of Mr Macneil's expenses so it is yet unclear what claims he may have made, however he said in his defence: "Excluding travel, last year my expenses were the third lowest of back-bench MPs."

In agreement with Mr Macneil, Labour prospective candidate Donald John Macsween is calling for the whole issue of politicians' expenses and allowances to be addressed properly and Liberal Democrat Prospective Candidate Jean Davis also feels there should be more transparency.

Mr Macsween said: "It is clear that public confidence in politicians is at an all-time low because of the revelations in the last while, which have been hugely damaging for all sides and for parliament. It is time that politicians returned to the ethos of public service which should be paramount and above party politics."

Giving her views on the situation, Dr Davis pointed out that the issue of second homes should be pretty simple: "Personally I believe that ordinary MPs are first and foremost elected to serve the electorate of their constituency," she stressed, "their main homes should be in the constituency, not least so they can keep in touch with local issues."

She added: "Of course the Western Isles MP needs a place to live in London when Parliament is in session but I believe it is a place to 'lay the head' when not working. A bed; seating; a TV, not least to keep in touch with news as reported to the people rather than spun in the Westminster village; and access to a kitchen is essential."

Both prospective candidates say they have experienced the rigours of expenses systems in employment before.
Mr Macsween said he had worked primarily in the public sector all his life where expenses properly incurred in the execution of people's duties are repaid, no more and no less. He continued that the same should be true of members of parliament, and it was now imperative that a sensible system, which is not open to abuse, was put in place without further prevarication.
"Public service should be at the heart of everything that politicians do and not personal gain or career advancement," he said.

Dr Davis echoed his thoughts commenting: "Having travelled widely throughout the world in previous employment I have been subject to the rigours of examination of expenses claims. MPs should be no different. MPs get a reasonable salary so if you don't want the Press and constituents to know you bought it - don't submit a claim for it."

Revelations about MP expenses has caused public outrage this week and have hit particularly hard at a time of recession when all are tightening their belts.
With reports of claims for swimming pools, dog food, toilet seats, cushions and horse manure, the scandal has hit all political parties and includes Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond who also sits as an MP at Westminster.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on Monday on behalf of all political parties for MP expenses.