About 60 people turned out for Rutland and Melton representative's grilling at Melton Baptist Church on Monday evening where he explained what he thought had happened to politics in the last few months.

Mr Duncan said: "One of the main reasons we are holding this meeting is because politicians have been lambasted over the last few weeks. It has been a pretty horrid time. Politicians, of whichever party, need to reach out and be prepared to take any questions."

He told the meeting that the system had built up over the last 30 years because no political leader was brave enough to give MPs a decent pay rise but only a handful of people had abused their position.

But he was attacked for claiming his full amount if he thought the system was wrong.

Linda Harrison said: "I applaud you for actually coming here and answering questions because I think a lot of MPs wouldn't have come.
"I work in social services and I have never even claimed for a meal in my 30 years working in the public sector."

And Brian Wilson asked why Mr Duncan had not blown the whistle on a system that was so fatally flawed and told the public what was going on

Mr Duncan said the annual £20,000 for running a second home was an allowance which was in effect a substitute for an otherwise poor salary and that MPs needed a base in London as well as their constituency but that members had not discussed what they claimed.

He added that he knew MPs who are struggling to stay out of debt on the £64,000 salary and that the system was ripe for reform and that parliament should accept an independent body's recommendation for pay.

He said the parliamentary system was in disarray and if a decent salary was not offered the calibre of people wanting to enter the commons would not be good enough.

But expenses was not the only issue raised at the meeting with topics from pensioners to people struggling in the recession covered.

Mr Duncan told the meeting that he was relishing the opportunity to get back into Government and fix the mess Gordon Brown has got the country into but he was equally nervous about the prospect.

He also praised local newspapers for the important role they play in a democratic country.

He said: "We all the love the Melton Times. Like all local newspapers they are under pressure. I think local newspapers are essential to democracy and the local community."

But the meeting was divided over its success.

Speaking afterwards Moira Chambers said: "I'm not happy with the meeting. I realise everyone had to have a chance to say something but I wanted to ask more questions. He has not done anything to convince me."

But Barbara Hawkins disagreed. She said: "I thought it was an interesting meeting.