The Political Costs of the 2009 British MPs Expenses Scandal [Hardcover]

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.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

'The definitive study of the expenses scandal, this excellent collection carefully documents its evolution, from its origins in FOI requests, through the painful process of reform, and sets out the prospects for another scandal. Drawing on a range of empirical data, it is written in a clear and accessible manner and challenges the conventional wisdom on the impact of the scandal on the public and politics, arguing that it was much more limited than most realise'.

Philip Cowley, Professor of Parliamentary Government, University of Nottingham, UK

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, l