My record on Parliamentary expenses is now on my web site and has been scrutinized by a major national newspaper. I have replied to dozens of correspondents about the matter and will continue to be open and co-operative. Given the appalling excesses that have been revealed elsewhere, I believe I have been moderate in my claims for accommodation in London, reasonable with my office costs and within allowed budgets on all areas of expenses.

But if colleagues have broken the law then prosecutions must be considered. Where the rules have been broken, Party or Parliamentary discipline must be imposed and other extravagant spending must end. Especially when others are feeling the pinch from the recession, claiming a duck house, forest or tennis court as ‘essential’ is completely unacceptable. So is the practice of a couple claiming expenses on two different homes.

Human failings must not be allowed to destroy what should be the honourable calling of representative democracy. Through our Parliament we have won the right to vote, the NHS and the minimum wage. We take decisions on war and peace, we balance spending on public services with the burden of taxation and we lead the world in our treatment of international development, climate change and managing the recession.

We should be proud of our democracy; too many of my colleagues seem to have forgotten that. Chastened, we must now return to the reasons why you elected us and make our priorities the real priorities of working people, families and the voiceless.

Much will depend on the approach of the new Speaker. I will support someone who supports backbenchers in holding Government to account, is committed to modernising our Parliament and is acceptable to all sides of the House. I have not yet decided who my chosen candidate will be, but the process will be an interesting one.