An open letter to Michael Martin

8.06.47am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th May 2009

Dear Mr Speaker,

As Parliament continues to be dragged down by the allowance system, and its rules, the role of those in public service across the country is being undermined.

We are Liberal Democrat candidates seeking to be elected to Parliament and yet we find ourselves disappointed, and frustrated, at the way in which this matter is being handled. Every day our residents are telling us loudly that this must stop

and this must stop now.

Three things stand out:

• The resistance to the releasing of these documents and the attempt to exclude Parliament from the Freedom of Information requirements

• The way in which Norman Baker and Kate Hoey were treated when they sought to raise legitimate concerns

• The fact that, through you, parliament could now release the information into the public domain and cut short this parade of drip-fed news and empower MPs and citizens through a new transparent relationship.

It is vital that Parliament must become transparent and accountable now. We call on you, as Speaker of the House, to do everything within your power to force the full publication of all expenses immediately. We also call on you to accept the

independent review of MPs expenses and salaries chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly.

If you are unable to do this we then ask you to consider your position. Time is running out for politicians of all parties to repair the damage to our democracy.

Yours sincerely

56 Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates

Dave McBride, Orpington

Sam Webber, Bromley and Chislehurst

Alex Feakes, Lewisham and West Penge

Duncan Borrowman, Old Bexley and Sidcup

Rebecca Hunt. Chatham & Aylesford

Guy Voizey Canterbury and Whitstable

Liz Simpson, Tonbridge and Malling

Andy Stamp, Gillingham & Rainham

Chris Took, Ashford

Ed Fordham, Hampstead and Kilburn

Bridget Fox, Islington South & Finsbury

Jo Shaw, Holborn and St Pancras

Caroline Pigeon, Vauxhall

Merlene Emerson, Hammersmith

Keith Angus, Hackney North and Stoke Newington

Andrew Dakers, Brentford and Isleworth

Dave Raval, Hackney South and Shoreditch

Mike Cox, Uxbridge and South Ruislip

Mark Blackburn, Westminster North

Munira Wilson, Feltham and Heston

Qurban Hussain, Luton South

Rabi Martins, Luton North

Sal Brinton, Watford

Andrew Simpson, Northampton North

Steve Goddard, Oxford East

Adrian Collett, Aldershot

Adam Carew, East Hampshire

Gareth Epps, Reading East

Sally Morgan, Central Devon

Sue Doughty, Guildford

Sarah Carr, Hereford and South Herefordshire

Liz Leffman, Meon Vallley

Sandy Walkington, St Albans

Richard Burt, West Worcestershire

Kevin Lang, Edinburgh North & Leith

Andrew Duffield,Hexham

David Kendall, Brentwood and Ongar

Ann Haigh, Epping Forest

Simon Wright, Norwich South

Greg Stone, Newcastle East

Theo Butt-Philip, Bridgwater and West Somerset

Dave Radcliffe, Birmingham Selly Oak

Richard Clein, Sefton Central

Stephen Lloyd, Eastbourne & Willingdon

Denis Healy, Hull North

Robin Lawrence, Wolverhampton South West

Andrew Falconer, Brighton Pavilion

Nigel Quinton, Hitchin & Harpenden

Alan Beddow, Warwick and Leamington

David Goodall, Southampton Itchen

Ryk Downes, Leeds Central

Peter Wilcock, Saffron Walden

Karen Hamilton, Birmingham Perry Barr

Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford

Mike Bell, Weston-super-Mare

Fred Mackintosh, Edinburgh South

Paul Zukowskyj, Welwyn Hatfield