Open Letter to Labour Opponent

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th May 2009

Dear Ayfer,

This is an open letter which I am sending to the local media and publicising by other means. I am writing regarding the issue of Parliamentary Expenses. I am sure that you will have found the same anger about this issue as I have when out on the doorsteps meeting local people. I suspect it will remain a big issue come the next general election. I would therefore like to know what you intend to do about the claim for a second home should you be elected?

In a town such as Hemel, which is close enough to Parliament to commute on a daily basis, local people rightly expect their MP to live in the constituency, and to travel to work as so many other people do, without claiming for a second home. As someone who was born and brought up in the town, and who (after studying and working away) moved back prior to even becoming a candidate, I am very clear that I would claim no allowance for a second home if I was elected as MP at the next election, because I would not need such a second home.

Although the current MP did not initially live in the constituency, and did claim a second home allowance, he has now said that he is no longer claiming the allowance. Given that his position and mine are clear on this matter, I think that it would be helpful if you could state your position clearly so that local people know how far they should be tacking account of expenses when casting their vote at the next general election.

I will be the genuinely local candidate at the next election because of my long standing roots in the area. Clearly, people wishing to represent a seat in Parliament cannot suddenly gain a long standing connection such as mine. However, I think it is right that local people expect anyone from outside the area who wishes to represent them in Parliament to make a commitment to the area. So I very much hope that you will say that you will both live in the

constituency and not claim for a second home elsewhere.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Dr Richard Grayson

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hemel Hempstead