United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal grandees’ of the party. On 12 May, the Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, announced that all questionable claims by the Shadow Cabinet would be repaid. The Liberal Democrats expenses were revealed last of the three main parties, followed by Sinn Féin members' claims in which it was reported that the five Sinn Féin MPs together had claimed nearly £500,000 in second home allowances, despite never taking up their seats at Westminster due to the party's abstentionist policy. Sinn Féin stated that its members often have to travel to London on parliamentary business. The claims published by "The Daily Telegraph"
Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Since 2009, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom has experimented with the use of open primaries to select some parliamentary candidates. Three primaries were held ahead of the 2010 general election in Oxford West & Abingdon, Totnes and Gosport. More than a dozen primaries were held ahead of the 2015 general election. Michael Ellis was selected for Northampton North in 2006. Totnes was the first constituency to use an open primary to select the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. The election was held in August 2009 and saw a turnout of approximately 25%. Due to