Applying new rules retrospectively could perhaps be viewed as somewhat unfair. That having been said, MPs have, for years, been using the public purse and the allowances system as a covert, tax - free salary top up and as a means of having a luxurious lifestyle, with gardening and cleaning services being paid for by the taxpayer. Any of the goods they bought on the public purse remains theirs when they leave public office too.
All those plasma TVs, silk cushions, etc. Not to mention the profits many MPs have made through tarting up a property at the public expense, having their mortgage paid at the public expense, and then selling on having made a nice fat profit - and some have elected to avoid paying tax on that profit too.
Some of these MPs should be in court on tax evasion and fraud charges, so instead they should thank their lucky stars that all they have received is a "Legg letter" and a polite request to pay money back.
They should recognise that this issue has inflicted a near mortal wound in the reputation and integrity of MPs, and that paying back overpayments, as assessed by Sir Thomas Legg, would represent only the beginning of healing that disconnect between those representing us and the public.
For those already having announced their intention to stand down at the next election, they could I suppose whinge and whine and remain defiant, since they will have little regard for any threats to their political futures - We just have to hope that some shred of decency remains and they agree to the payback schedule.