Backlash against UK politicians after MPs expenses row

The parliamentary expenses scandal has led to a sharp drop in the popularity of British politicians as fresh information showed that Conservative Party MPs used taxpayers' money for the upkeep of swimming pools, moat clearance and even a "helipad".

Some of the Conservative Party MPs in the UK have subsidised their country estates at taxpayers' expense, with the upkeep of swimming pools, moat clearance and even the salaries of domestic staff, it was disclosed on Tuesday as the MPs expenses scandal snowballed into a major political crisis affecting the popularities of both ruling Labour and opposition Conservatives.

According to a Populus poll for The Times, voters are united in revulsion over the disclosures on MPs expenses. The poll, taken between Friday and Sunday, suggested a sharp drop in support for Labour and the Conservatives, with the Liberal Democrats and smaller parties including the rightwing British National Party, benefiting.

The poll indicated that an overwhelming majority of people believe that MPs are self-serving, out of touch and guilty of abuse. As per the poll, the popularity of Labour slid to 26 per cent, down four per cent, Conservatives 39 per cent, down four per cent, and Liberal Democrat 22 per cent, up four per cent and others 13 per cent, up four per cent.