For the starter, an apology. For main course, atonement. For pudding, judgement.

That was David Cameron’s recipe for restoring faith in Westminster.

MPs may have milked the system for all it’s worth, but the Tory leader appeared whiter than whiter at the Corn Exchange in Witney yesterday –– despite his own protestations to the contrary.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and blue tie, Mr Cameron was the picture of health as he delivered his verdict on the MPs’ expenses scandal to his constituents.

It wasn’t the toughest audience he has ever faced: Witney is as blue as blue can be, and Mr Cameron is the darling of the Tory faithful in his rural constituency.

But credit where credit is due. He gave a slick and convincing performance in front of an angry crowd –– angry in a typically English kind of way that is.

A kind of simmering anger.

Mr Cameron believes MPs who have exploited the system should apologise, pay back the money and face the public at the ballot box.

“Judgement” was his buzz word yesterday.

The people have the right to judge, he said.

And who can disagree?

The story of the last fortnight has left a bitter taste in many people’s mouths and the revelations are far from over.

That said, it would be naive to think Mr Cameron’s calls for a General Election were solely for the benefit of the public.

For him, the sooner there is an election, the sooner he will gain power.

The public can wait to vent their anger at the ballot box.

But 12 months is a long time in politics and perhaps Mr Cameron fears the fortunes of the Government may have turned by May next year.