Expenses scandal dents public's trust

British politics is under unprecedented scrutiny nowadays, thanks to revelations by the media of odd allowances claimed by Members of Parliament (MPs).

Both the ruling Labour party and the opposition Conservatives (the Tories) are competing to appear tough on senior members who made "unacceptable" claims, even if it falls within the rules. However, will this reclaim public confidence in politics and politicians soon enough? It appears doubtful.

In traditional democracies, people have become more sceptical of politics and have lost faith in its capability to change their lives - supposedly for the better. That was evident in the declining party membership and low turnout in elections.

The public already felt disconnected from mainstream politics, and these latest crises serve to just reinforce the trend. Along with lawmakers' expenses claims, there are accusations that Labour members of House of Lords were open to bribes in exchange for amending of British laws.

Furthermore, former prime minister Tony Blair was questioned by police two years ago in a 'cash-for-peers' probe. Though no high profile prosecutions were made, the accusations and widespread media coverage further dented the public's already-low trust in politics and politicians.

The build up of these accusations and revelations about politicians' greed and indifference to the public's suffering in a severe economic recession will only alienate people further from politics.

Thus, the core essence of democracy - wider public engagement - is being degraded in rapid fashion and could become completely lost. It is much easier, and faster for that matter, to dent or kill one's reputation or integrity. However, it is far more difficult to rebuild it and it takes a considerable length of time to do so.

The lawmakers' expenses dilemma comes ahead of European parliamentary elections which are to be followed by British local elections and a general election next year.

The damage inflicted on mainstream political parties - Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats - would only benefit fringe groups like the far-right British National Party (BNP) or Euro-sceptics.

Even if one of the mainstream political parties wins in any election, it would only be a narrow win marred by a low voter turnout - which means a very susceptible public mandate.

What can be done to avoid a disastrous breakdown between people and institutions of democratic governance? Do we demand and expect politicians to be ultimately puritan angels? Not exactly!

What is needed is more transparency and less spin in politics; less arrogance and more willingness to admit mistakes; and more connections to the wider public and quick responses to people's aspirations.

Politics needs revamping and the desire to work by example to prove to people that politicians are not merely advancing personal interests or seeking power and wealth. Elected politicians are servants of the people and the national interest. They should not be deceitful or operate in cunning ways.

Some blame the media for fuelling this rift between public and politics - it could be a partially true argument. However, it is not the media that is doing the wrong things now politicians are admitting to and trying to rectify.

Politicians in the spotlight are accusing the media of waging smear campaigns against them, but were they not the same people who provided the substance for these 'smear campaigns' in the first place?

Few commentators say the media is after sensational stories, thus focusing more on personal caveats and exaggerating it at the expense of serious political debate. That could be true, but what about the accusation by some that media is also exaggerating the swine flu threat?

Even if far-fetched arguments that pharmaceutical business are benefiting from scaring the public are true, did the media invent the pandemic? Is it not its job to communicate all available information and arguments to the wider public? Would not media campaigns help in tracing errors and push for their correction?

Lessons should be learnt, not only from this latest lawmakers' expenses saga and other sleaze-related campaigns, but also from political practices on major issues that alienated the public such as the so-called war on terror and subsequent wars on sovereign states for fabricated reasons.

Reclaiming public trust in politics requires more effort than just a reaction to leaks and revelations. It is a long and hard process to reach deep causes of public resentment and correct them.

Maybe new fresh faces could help, but it shouldn't only be replacement of figures to facelift a decaying mainstream - genuine change is a must, and all venues should be explored.

Dr Ahmad Mustafa is a London-based Arab writer.