Control the story...or it will control you

Like everyone else, I've been riveted to the row over MPs' expenses. Day by day, the respect that the public holds for our system of democracy is being eroded away. No question. 

How to stop the salami-slicing of democracy: manage the story or it will manage you. 

1. Look at the worst. If there was a disc that The Telegraph now has then the information will be available inside the Palace of Westminster, one assumes. I don't work there so I don't know. Get the information and look at how bad it is. One doesn't doubt that it will be bad, if the last 9 days are anything to go by. 

2. Decide what action you will take against those who may be working "within the rules" but who may not look good in the bright lights of the public gaze. Remember, the public think in common sense not in legal frameworks. 

3. Set up a press conference - get a live feed onto the web and seek to persuade one of the networks to carry it as it happens. 

4. Apologise. Tell everyone watching that those in the system have demonstrated errors of judgement, that actions will be taken against those who have transgressed the law and reprimands, warnings and harder actions will be set out for the rest. 

5. Make all of the information available on the web. 

6. Take action. 

7. Restore confidence. 

8. Move on.