More rules! More power! More transparency!

Michael Martin's convening of another committee to look into MPs' expenses isn't exactly what you could call a high-powered response to a major problem (at least, what the blogosphere says is a major problem):

An inquiry by the Commons members estimates committee, chaired by Martin and including senior MPs from the main parties, intends to consider all the issues raised, including the employment of relatives and how to install an adequate system of auditing expenses.

After a meeting of the committee, Martin told MPs in a letter that the review was a "major exercise" that will now report in the autumn, rather than the summer as first envisaged. That may delay any real reforms until next year at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Tony Wright is calling for a "thorough review" of MP allowances, and Peter Wardle, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, wants "more power." Meanwhile, in other news, the economy is going to hell in a handbasket, Afghanistan is collapsing, and did anyone notice Pakistan getting the nuclear bomb? Anyone? No, thought not.