What concerns me is not the fact that some MPs are reportedly bedding down for the night in Westminster, but that not many people will care about it.

I wonder if any steps have been taken to discover who the parliamentarians are and what help they can be given now that the London Evening Standard has highlighted this issue.  Their report states states that a handful of MPs use camp beds in their office as they are no longer able to claim for a second home allowance, and make use facilities on site to shower.

MP Mark Field is quoted as saying: “With these new rules, quite a number of MPs have taken to sleeping on the floor in their office. Unfortunately, a lot of new MPs are paying the price for the sins of past generations. We have gone from a very lax system abused by many in the past, to a highly bureaucratic and strict regime.”

If this is something that is happening on a regular basis, rather than a one-off after a late night voting or finishing paperwork, we should be concerned. Our MPs work incredibly hard, often around 80 hours a week, and should get away at the end of the day for their own sanity and to keep them grounded, as well as getting the rest they desperately need. The Westminster bubble is absorbing and all-embracing and it is easy to get sucked in and become oblivious to the outside world. Their well being is vital too. How many staff in other organisations would be allowed to sleep in their office at night?

MPs need to have an expenses system that is fair, truthful and workable, and quite clearly this is one area that needs to be reviewed again.

I also wonder how many more MPs suffer from depression like David Ruffley, who was so desperate that he threw himself in front of a train. I suspect he is not alone, and I wish him a good recovery.