We’re so sorry we got caught. We’re so sorry it looks bad. Please vote for us

Amid the pious words of self-disgust, contrition and resolve, amid the scramble to repay the iffiest claims as determined by (mumble, mumble) and dating back to (mumble, mumble), amid the setting up of reviews to flagellate MPs once more… one voice spoke the truth.

Hazel Blears, surely without realising, explained what the cash-for-pretty-much-anything affair is all about:

What's really important to me is what people think about this issue and what people think about me.