LOCAL MPs are contemplating selling their second homes and making their wives redundant under proposals to reform the expenses system.

It’s widely expected that the committee tasked with restoring Parliament’s reputation will advise that MPs should only claim for rented second homes in the future and will not be able to employ relatives.

This would have a massive impact on our local MPs, nearly all of whom claim for the mortgage interest on their second homes and several of whom also employ their wives.

New MPs would be immediately affected by the new rules proposed by Sir Christopher Kelly, whereas existing MPs would have a five-year period to make adjustments.

Jim Knight, Labour MP for South Dorset, said he would not be able to fund his £650 a month mortgage on his second home himself so would probably have to sell up and rent somewhere.

“If this is what he recommends, we should accept it because it will be his judgement as to what’s needed to restore the reputation of our MPs,” he said.

“When I moved from rented to mortgaged accommodation it saved quite a lot of money. I would have to see whether I could find rented accommodation that would not be more expensive. That would be difficult but if that’s what I have to do, I will do it.”

Other MPs have also questioned whether the reforms could actually prove more expensive than the existing arrangements.

Sir John Butterfill, Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, said: “I think it’s perfectly reasonable to put a cap on mortgage costs but to say you’ve now got to sell our house seems to me to be unreasonable and, actually, is likely to incur higher costs for the taxpayer.

“In most cases, the mortgage interest is lower than rental costs, simply because the MP would have put in quite a bit of his own money as a deposit.”

How will our MPs cope?

* Annette Brooke Lib Dem, Mid Dorset and North Poole Rents a flat in London so her second home arrangements would not be affected. Has employed her husband to work for her in the past, which would not be permitted under the new rules.

* Sir John Butterfill Con, Bournemouth West Not standing at the next election so will not have to worry about Sir Christopher’s recommendations. If he were carrying on, he would have had to dispense with the services of his wife, who checks and filters all his email correspondence. He would also have had to sell his Bournemouth flat, which is his designated second home, and rent a new property.

* Chris Chope Con, Christchurch Would not be able to continue employing his wife Christo as his secretary, despite the fact she worked for him before they married. Is currently buying his second home in London, so faces having to sell this or pay the mortgage himself.

* Tobias Ellwood Con, Bournemouth East Would not be able to continue claiming the mortgage interest on his Bournemouth home, which was more than £2,000 a month in 07/08. Does not employ any relatives.

* Jim Knight Lab, South Dorset Would not be able to continue claiming the mortgage interest on his London flat, which is around £650 a month. Does not employ any relatives.

* Robert Syms Con, Poole Has previously employed both his current and former wives simultaneously but now only employs his former wife Nicola Guy as full-time PA and constituency caseworker. Prior to the summer he was claiming the mortgage interest on his London second home but after the expenses row broke, he decided to stop claiming for a while.

* Desmond Swayne Con, New Forest West Would not be able to continue claiming the mortgage interest on his North Kensington flat, which totalled £8,539 for 08/09. Would also have to find a new secretary to replace his wife Moira.

* Bob Walter Con, North Dorset Would not be able to continue to claim the mortgage interest on his London home, which was more than £1,200 a month in 07/08. Does not employ any relatives.