There is a trend, with politicians and people in power, to not have any qualms about doing something objectionable, as long as they're not breaking the law. So we hear about British companies who avoid millions and millions of pounds in tax by operating through offshore tax havens - perfectly legal, but morally unconscionable. Or we read stories about politicians - particularly cabinet ministers and civil servants on high salaries - putting in claims to have the tax payer fund all sorts of extravagance, from £200 a head dinners to trips round the world. When accused of behaving scandalously, they always plead innocence - not because their actions were morally acceptable, but simply because they haven't broken the rules. As long as they're technically allowed to do it, that is the only thing that matters. Moral considerations don't even enter into it.

Jacqui Smith - who I believe as a cabinet minister earns £141,866 a year - is the most recent politician to employ this tactic. She has claimed £116,000 in second-home allowances on a spacious home in her constituency of Redditch, Worcestershire, because - and I warn you, you should prepare yourself for a redefinition of genius - when she works in London, she stays in her sister's spare room.

You'd be forgiven for thinking, probably correctly, that her house in Redditch is in fact her primary home, and that she's on the make at the public's expense. Seriously, this girl must have balls like melons to even think of pulling a stunt like this. I'd feel guilty if I so much as ate a biscuit which had been bought at the tax payer's expense.

As far as I understand it, Jacqui Smith is legally allowed to do this. According to the rule books, it's all perfectly above board. Jacqui says "I sought advice about the arrangements that I make for living in two places, like lots of MPs have to. I followed the advice that I was given and I followed the rules". And technically, this is true.

But just because someone is allowed to do something, doesn't mean that they have to do it. And surely this holds true to politicians more than anyone else, as they are charged with managing our money. Does it not even cross her mind that, in a time when tens of thousands of families live in fear of losing their homes from this horrendous economic downturn, and in a time when we are told that the total government debt after the bank bailouts will reach £1.5 trillion, that claiming such large amounts of public money on your home is somewhat vulgar?