"The Liberal Democrats in the Commons could do something really useful whilst they still have seats" says Eric Moonman

"After all most of them could find themselves in the same position as us shortly,  desperately grubbing about for something to do,  and much more importantly someone to pay for it".

Mr Moonman admitted it would be ‘hard’ for an ex-MP to publicly call for public money.

He suggested it would ‘take a strong, existing member who is not necessarily troubled by the ballot box to say this is what ought to happen’.

‘The important thing is to recognise that individuals have got experience, have got some views, has been disciplined and what a terrible waste,’ he added.

Mr Moonman, who was Labour MP for Billericay from 1966-1970 and Basildon from 1974-1979, said ex-MPs were ‘like footballers’ who retire without earning a lot of money.

Update : In the interests of fairness and balance, it is only right that we show that "saying a firm no the Moonman proposal" can have consequences