Self-flagellation and self-righteousness: politicians, the media and the expenses 'scandal'

Obviously the story that has dominated politics since the return from recess has been the further fallout from the expenses scandal in the wake of Sir Thomas Legg's recommendations. Ever the contrarian, I thought I'd add a word of caution to all the indignant headlines (the Standard today is particularly inflammatory: 'MPs Plot To Veto Expenses Payback').

The general consensus amongst the party leaders seems to be that politicians must prostrate themselves before the public over their expenses in order to 'win back their trust'. Gordon Brown has said as much himself, and David Cameron has even gone as far as to threaten deselection to any Tory brave enough to question Legg's demands. However if Nick Robinson is to be believed, there is widespread anger amongst MPs at the retrospective measures being taken. And let's be honest, there is some justification for this anger - if the victims of these measures were anyone other than MPs, you might expect a great deal of sympathy from the mainstream media.

Hardly any of these MPs, however, have gone on the record with these objections. The BBC piece carries quotes from politicians speaking on condition of anonymity, whilst The Guardian cites a 'Labour source' in its story. Absolutely no-one seems to be suggesting that standing up for what you believe in as an MP might be a better means of gaining public trust than pandering to a bloodthirsty media. And herein lies the problem: when the dust has settled on the expenses saga, I think what will be illuminated is the fact that for politicians, 'public trust' and 'positive headlines' are virtually indistinguishable.