THE controversy surrounding MP allowances has dominated headlines for weeks.

One who hit the headlines for a different reason is Dai Davies MP for Blaenau Gwent MP. Mr Davies was described by one national newspaper as a 'squeaky-clean MP unscathed by the expenses scandal.'

Chronicle reporter Hannah Mlatem asked Dai Davies his opinions on the allowances system.

"When I entered Parliament three years ago I shared the concern of many people out here in the real world about allowances and expenses paid to MPs.

Soon afterwards I had the opportunity to make that public concern clear to the Senior Salaries Review Board. "I called on the Board to take all properties used by MPs for their work to be taken in to public ownership. I said that all such properties should be bought and owned by the country, and it was then for the Commons authorities to make decisions about those properties.

That way any increased property value would benefit the people, and that way no money need change hands to MPs. No MP should own a second home, I said. That was three years ago, and I have kept on making the case for a radical change on allowances and expenses ever since.

"Well before this expenses scandal hit the headlines I said that 'nothing less than everything coming under the control of the country will do – to restore public confidence in politics.'

"The proposals I put forward were described as the most radical shake-up of political 'expenses' since they were introduced in 1911.I argued that MPs would be given 'a basic wage', no MP would 'own' a second home, all MPs staff, offices, and equipment would be "owned, and paid for, by the country, which would control all costs, staff and employment contracts", and that "nothing less than a complete root-and-branch shake-up would restore the public's belief in politicians.

The allowances paid to run MPs constituency offices should also be handled centrally. It is my view that Commons staff should negotiate the best deal for a constituency office and handle all bills for rent and overheads. All MPs staff, offices, and equipment would also be owned, and paid for, by the country, which would control all costs, staff and employment contracts.

"But I have since gone further where MPs salaries are concerned.

Not only should MPs be paid a 'basic wage', something I argued for over a year ago, I have since come to the conclusion – especially given the fact that we are in the worst recession for eighty years – that MPs wages should be linked to the average wage in their constituency.

Where I am concerned that would mean a wage of £25,000 a year. The point I am making is that an MP's wage should reflect the area and people they serve.

"It should be no higher than the average wage of the constituency they serve. I have outlined these ideas to the Members Estimates Committee, to the Speaker, the Leader of the House, and the leaders of the three main parties.

"In a letter to the Prime Minister I said I feared 'that unless it is shown that the second home system is to the benefit of the country and not the MP it will not be accepted by the public," said Mr Davies

It gives me no pleasure to have seen what has happened during the time I joined Parliament. The mis-use of allowances has dragged the whole of politics down in every right-thinking person's eyes in this country.

"It goes without saying that I will be first in the queue to give up all allowances. I have already revealed – again, well before the expenses scandal became public in national newspapers - a full account of expenses and allowances I have claimed."

Mr Davies has told the Commons Authorities he wants to "show a lead" by giving up his London flat and to use accommodation provided, paid for and monitored closely by the Commons.

"I have called for a 'Windfall Fund' to be set up to handle any money paid back by MPs (who have wrongly claimed expenses or allowances).

That adds up, as you read this, to more than half a million pounds," said Mr Davies

"That money, I have argued should go to the areas of greatest need not least to prime new businesses and new jobs for those areas.

"In that letter to the Prime Minister I said 'Parliament must act quickly and decisively to make the system of expenses as simple, transparent and accountable as possible with public ownership and central control being paramount. In my view, there is no need for one penny to pass through MPs hands.