Amazing times in the political arena

What a shame that we're all tarred with the same brush.

Meanwhile, the hard work of tackling economic downturn continues, with the Government stressing that we must grow our way out of recession.

It's worrying that the opposition believes we must cut our way out. I'm backing a policy of support to all, not tax cuts for the few.

I'm backing investment when it is needed most, not cutting services in the middle of a recession. I'm on the side of those standing by people who are worried they could lose their homes or jobs, not a "walk on by" approach.

An election isn't far off, and calls for an immediate one seem to be a distraction at a time when people are worried about their jobs, incomes and homes.

Of course the public wants to see the most decisive of action on expenses, and a clean-up is what the PM insists on too, saying we will have repayment; we will have discipline and we'll have a new system that takes it out of the hands of MPs entirely and it's got to be an external body that does it.

Now, that's the start of the clean-up. Sounds good to me.

- Jim Fitzpatrick is MP for Poplar and Canning Town