The Political Costs of the 2009 British Mps’ Expenses Scandal

Nicholas Allen, University of London, UKSarah Birch, University of Glasgow, UKJustin Fisher, Brunel University, UKOonagh Gay, House of Commons Library, UKRon Johnston, University of Bristol, UKValentino Larcinese, Department of Government, LSE, UKCharles Pattie, Sheffield University, UKIndraneel Sircar, University of London, UKJessica Tarlov, London School of Economics, UK Nick Vivyan, University of Durham, UKMarkus Wagner, University of Vienna, ItalyBen Worthy, University of London, UKOrlanda Ward, University College London, UKAnthony Wright, University of London, UK

This study examines the evolution and political consequences of the 2009 British MPs' expenses scandal. Despite claims of a revolution in British politics, we show how the expenses scandal had a limited, short-term impact.

Unique mix of senior academics, journalists, and MP's provide a unique insight into the scandal and include; Ben Worthy, Oonagh Gay (Head of Parliament and Constitution Centre, House of Commons, and Simon Rogers (Guardian Writer)

1. The 2009 British MPs' Expenses Scandal: Origins, Evolution and Consequences; Jennifer vanHeerde-Hudson and Orlanda Ward 2. Freedom of Information and the MPs' Expenses Crisis; Ben Worthy 3. A View from the Inside; Tony Wright 4. Should I Stay or Should I Go?; Jennifer vanHeerde-Hudson 5. The Impact of the Scandal on the 2010 General Election Results; Charles Pattie and Ron Johnston 6. Where did Electoral Accountability Fail? MP Misconduct, Constituent Perceptions and Vote Choice; Nick Vivyan, Markus Wagner and Jessica Tarlov 7. Tempests and Teacups: Politicians' Reputations in the Wake of the Expenses Scandal; Nicholas Allen and Sarah Birch 8. Singing from the Same Broad Sheet? - Examining Newspaper Coverage Bias during the 2009 MPs Expenses Scandal; Valentino Larcinese and Indraneel Sircar 9. The New Expenses Regime and the Role of IPSA; Oonagh Gay 10. A Uniquely British Episode?; Justin Fisher and Jennifer vanHeerde-Hudson