As she puts it, "generally politicians tell the truth". I also think that most of them are honest and want to do the best they can for their fellow beings. But that's not how most people think about politicians – hardly a surprise given the media frenzy when things go wrong.

Even ten years ago when "sleaze" was at its height only a small number of Conservative MPs were taking brown paper envelopes and enjoying the good life at The Ritz Hotel in Paris (indeed it was after all only two Tory politicians that finished up in prison!). But it was regrettable that they behaved in such a way and with the sole intention of feathering their own nests.

Labour created new rules to be sure that everything was transparent. So when we discover that apparently the General Secretary of the Party knew that one of our donors was offering money to third parties and did nothing to stop it then that has to be punished – even though the individuals concerned were seeking to benefit their party for what they assumed was the greater good, not to obtain money for themselves.

What I can say is that no rules were broken in the Harriet Harman Campaign in which I was associated. We did ask for donations and Janet Kidd sent us £5,000, a cheque signed by her on her home addressed notepaper and wishing Harriet well. It's a shame, if someone knew that was irregular, that we were not told. We had indeed already returned another doubtful donation. But innuendo has replaced fact and all politicians become tarred with the same brush.

For my part, I welcome the further enquiries including that of the police and it is my belief that our leading politicians will all receive a clean bill of financial health.

But there is a greater issue for discussion, about how we fund political activity. I know the public are not keen to pay extra taxes, but there are a limit to the amount of jumble sales and coffee mornings local members can organise.

And I note that here in Hastings and Rye a review of the electoral commission website shows donations from companies (many outside the constituency) totalling some £22,000 to the Tory cause in just the last year. I think our total to date is £700. There has never been an equal playing field between the political parties in terms of raising money. The Unions do their best, but even they cannot compare with the Lord Ashcrofts of the world who pay no tax, but still manage to fund the Tory Party. Of course, the starting point is to spend less and limit what people can spend both during and in between elections. I welcome a wider debate on these issues and would be interested to hear from residents with views on how political parties should be funded for the future.