How will the expenses scandal affect the European and county council elections?

The scandal over MPs' expenses has dominated the media for the past few weeks, and shows no sign of abating. In all likelihood, this will be fresh in people's minds when they vote in June

But the upcoming elections are not for MPs. Rather, it is our County Council and MEPs who are up for (re-)election.

One party that seems likely to benefit from the expenses scandal is UKIP. But it is important for readers to be aware that UKIP's MEPs are the worst when it comes to expenses. One MEP elected for UKIP in the South-East at the last election, Ashley Mote, has since spent nine months in prison for claiming benefits (yes, that's right, claiming benefits) whilst also receiving an MEP's salary. Another MEP elected for UKIP at the last European election, Tom Wise, is currently under trial for money laundering. (For more information, the excellent website UKIP Watch has put together a document called 'What Became Of The UKIP Twelve' '“ http://ukipwatch.org/What%20became%20of%20the%20UKIP%20twelve.pdf)

Meanwhile Labour's MEPs have had their accounts reviewed by independent auditors since 2000 '“ a full eight years before any other party's MEPs '“ and are the only group to have pledged to publish all their receipts.

At a council level, your average councillor receives a small allowance per month '“ hardly enough to live a lavish lifestyle.

So if you are going to consider expenses when you vote at June's elections, please bear in mind the track record of our MEPs and councillors first.