Tory urges party to purge sleazy MPs

A Conservative MP is urging Iain Duncan Smith to purge the party of its sleazy MPs, and says politicians have only themselves to blame for public cynicism.

In a withering attack on politicians in all parties, Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and a former frontbencher, says: "It is their conduct and their behaviour that has fuelled voter cynicism. The consequence is that people feel that politicians are not fit to take decisions – lest in taking those decisions they are motivated by self-serving or unworthy ideals."

Writing in The Independent, Mr Gibb says the Tories will never regain power unless they adopt a new politics. He urges his leader to abandon "tribal" politics and even help the Government to sell its policies when they are right.

His article, to be published in the Bow Group's magazine Crossbow, says the Tories should also abandon the "yobbish antics" of MPs.His party must "rid itself of its 'Alan B'Stard' MPs and councillors". He adds: "We must weed out the fame-seekers, those motivated by the pursuit of prestige and position, or the book deal or the directorships. Let's use our parliamentary selection board, not only to increase women's representation, but to ensure that those addicted to cynical and dishonest politics are kept out of the Commons."