Very few people will have noticed that last week my Private Member’s Bill, promoting Green Energy, passed its Second Reading in the Commons. Even in a good week, it would have attracted little attention; but to say that last week was not a good week, would be a massive under-statement. It was a disastrous week for Parliament and for confidence in its members.

Any remote chance of news coverage for a positive measure designed to ease the progress of low carbon technologies and help bring down fuel bills never stood a chance against claims for loo seats and potted plants, not to mention property deals which in some cases, to say the least, look extremely dodgy.

The sight of MPs attempting to justify even legitimate claims for household expenditure has horrified most people. It is true, and has been for many years, that the system operated by the House of Commons Fees Office is ridiculous, inefficient and open to abuse. It is also entirely wrong that MPs should be able to vote on their own pay. This should be a matter for an independent body.

However, it also seems beyond doubt that some MPs have played the rotten system in a way that has further undermined confidence in the whole way that parliament works. This is not only irresponsible and morally wrong, but dangerous; there is a real risk that the row over expenses will play into the hands of extreme or fringe, single issue Parties at the forthcoming European and County Elections as people cast a protest vote.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament I have felt many emotions at different times. Frustration, elation, satisfaction, gloom, hope, excitement. Never before have I just felt embarrassed because of my job. It is not a good feeling.

I have always believed and, despite the gruesome revelations of recent days, I still believe, that most people who enter parliament – for whatever Party – do so with the best intentions. I know that this seems a difficult case to maintain right now.

But I hold onto the thought that the point of politics is to be useful; useful to my constituents and to the country. The little noticed fact that the Green Energy Bill has passed one of the main hurdles to becoming law, with Cross-Party support, is evidence that politics can still be an honourable and worthwhile profession.