When we look back at the Westminster expenses scandal, we may be looking at a turning point in our parliamentary history — at least we hope so.

The scandal is a symptom of the cosy gentleman’s club that Westminster has remained in spite of the changes that have happened over many decades outside the walls of the Houses of Parliament.

There has been little impetus to change this cosy world from within those walls. An icy wind is now, however, blowing through. MPs cannot resist change. Indeed, as the statements of party leaders, including Witney’s David Cameron, have recently suggested, some are now prepared to lead that change.

This is an opportunity to modernise our democracy that should not be lost. Everything should be open for debate, from the hours that MPs sit to their remuneration and pensions, freedom of information, powers of the PM and Cabinet, and the very voting systems that put them there in the first place.

Can we trust our MPs to lead the way on modernising our democracy? The evidence of the last few weeks is not reassuring.

MPs alone cannot be left to determine the future of Westminster democracy. Many other voices should be heard, from local government and business to the ordinary citizen.

The operation of Parliament should reflect the wishes of those it serves, not of those who work in it.