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"The issue of MP's expenses and allowances continues to cause a great deal of anger in the country and damage to the reputation of politicians and politics.
I want to take this opportunity to set out the actions I have taken, and plan to take, to play my part in rebuilding the public's trust in politics.
In March, I made a pledge on expenses, published on my blog (Blogspot), which set out what the people of Halton could
expect from me if I were elected their MP.
I am now making a further "openness" pledge to the people of Halton; setting out further actions I would take (alongside my pledge on expenses - Expenses Pledge) to do my job as their MP.
I will continue to build on this pledge based on feedback as I believe it is vital that candidates and MPs listen to the electorate and respond accordingly if trust is to be rebuilt between voter and representative.
If I were to become the MP for Halton I would:
Publish online my full voting, attendance, and speaking records from the House of Commons (and all written questions tabled and motions signed)
Publish online a diary which details where I spent each day (and night) so that the people of Halton can see where I am working on their behalf
Regularly update my website/blog so anyone can see what I work have been doing
Publish contact details which include an "out of office hours" number so that constituents could contact me out of normal work hours
Publish online my annual tax return/details of all my income (including any other jobs/paid appointments/work etc)
Conduct regular polls/questionnaires of my constituents to find out their views on key issues- this help me decide how to vote in the House of Commons
Hold regular surgeries at different times and locations in the constituency so it is convenient for my constituents
Hold regular public meetings to discuss key issues concerning the people of Halton and account for my performance on their behalf- I would not make speeches at this meeting, but take questions and spend my time listening
The people of Halton have a right to know how I would behave as their MP, as I would work for them."
May 2009
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