Adam Afriyie for Windsor

The latest headlines about MPs’ claims for cab fares and toilet rolls demonstrate clearly that the system formulated by Ipsa has some of the same regrettable flaws as the discredited regime it replaced.

Tragically, so little has changed. The integrity of Parliament continues to be undermined. The public’s trust in politicians remains at an all-time low. Wealthier MPs are buying their way out of the system, while the less well-off and those with families are inadvertently discriminated against. Constituents enjoy less of their MPs’ time because MPs and their staff are busy negotiating numerous forms and lengthy telephone calls for ‘advice’ from Ipsa. Above all, the cost to the taxpayer remains unnecessarily high.

It is heart-breaking to see an entire new generation of MPs have their reputations unjustly dragged through the mud by a flawed system over which they had no say. Change is urgently needed.

On December 2 last year, Parliament passed a historic motion which now enjoys the prime minister’s support. It said that if Ipsa does not bring forward a sensible scheme within the next few weeks, then Parliament will insist that it do so (by legislation, if necessary).

We must be ready to act immediately if Ipsa does not propose a workable and cost-effective scheme in mid-January. That is why I have introduced the Parliamentary Standards (Amendment) Bill. It is offered as a vehicle for reform. It can be added to and amended as necessary when it returns to Parliament this month, on January 21.

The bill enjoys widespread cross-party support. It seeks to reduce the cost of Parliament by about £4m a year and simplify the way in which payments are made. It would achieve this by introducing a completely transparent Member’s Allowance – with a regional weighting – which is both simple to administer and impossible to abuse. It maintains the independence of Ipsa but requires it to fulfil its original mandate to be cost-effective and efficient. It would retain a strict regime of receipts for office costs and staff costs – albeit more streamlined and with direct payments to suppliers – so that the public can see exactly how their money is spent. Above all, the bill would cut costs and allow constituents to enjoy more of their MP’s time.

Crucially, the bill gives an opportunity to the government and party leaders. They now have the chance to remove themselves from centre-stage and allow Parliament to take the initiative. It offers them the opportunity to let Parliament propose and amend measures of great benefit to constituents and the taxpayer. A private member’s bill would also enable party leaders to maintain the moral high ground through distance, whilst reserving the right to intervene if the costs of a new system were to prove too high.

We should be in no doubt: the public relations battle has been lost. Parliament’s reputation is in tatters. There is nothing to lose in seeking to change the system for the long-term good of constituents, the taxpayer and their Parliament. Recent media coverage indicates that we may have a narrow window of opportunity to introduce a cheaper and simpler system. Beyond sensationalist coverage of individual claims, the media were almost united in their recognition of the need for change. Beyond the usual parody of individual MPs, even the sketchwriters acknowledged the desperate need for reform.

There will never be a perfect time to deal with this issue. We must have the courage to act now, before we tarnish another generation of MPs. I believe we can both reduce the cost of MPs and restore the public’s trust in Parliament in a single act. The Parliamentary Standards (Amendment) Bill is a platform for change. It gives our party leaders a welcome release from the vice-like grip of the expenses issue. I sincerely hope that the contents of my bill will be seen for what they are: an opportunity, not a threat; a platform, not a final destination.