Expenses scandal: Brown to act tough

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised radical reforms of the political system on Sunday after disclosures of lawmakers perks sent his Labour party...

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised radical reforms of the political system on Sunday after disclosures of lawmakers perks sent his Labour party crashing to an historic low in opinion polls. The ruling Labour party faces a difficult test in local and European elections this week and speculation is mounting over Browns political future.

Two polls suggested Labour could slip to third place in Thursdays European Parliament polls.

In a bid to re-assert his authority,Brown said he planned to introduce a binding code of conduct for politicians,who would be punished if they were found to have abused the system of parliamentary allowances. He warned other public institutions they also would face tougher,independent scrutiny in a wide-ranging clean-up operation. He told the BBCs Andrew Marr programme he had been shocked by the abuses that had been uncovered. To be honest,what Ive seen offends my Presbyterian conscience. What Ive seen is something that is appalling, he said.

Support for Browns government has crumbled after weeks of reports about lawmakers claiming public money for anything from swimming pools to tennis court repairs. A ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph found only 17 per cent of voters planned to vote Labour in Thursdays European election,behind the Conservatives on 29 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 20 per cent. More Britons were inclined to vote Liberal Democrat than Labour in a national election for the first time since 1987.