Papers continue to cover expenses

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The sheer sense of fun that the papers derive from the expense claims made by MPs has not abated.

In a list of the "wackiest" the People reminds its readers of the politician who wanted 50p for a plastic bag.

In a similar vein, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194461/David-Miliband-claimed-50-taxpayer-photos-line-dancing.html">the Mail on Sunday recalls the 40p banana,</a> and the MP who spent nearly £2,000 sending Christmas cards to his constituents.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-great-iiosi-expenses-quiz-have-you-been-paying-attention-1711559.html">The Independent on Sunday has a quiz </a> so MPs, for example, can see whether they are "in denial".

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/dominic_lawson/article6544236.ece">Dominic Lawson, writing in the Sunday Times,</a> thinks the heavily-censored official publication of the claims "is more tragic than comic".

"Ordinary people have had enough," says the Sunday Express, adding that "greedy MPs who have fleeced the public must not be allowed to get away with it".

Election call

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/370698/Lord-Carey-says-MPs-have-squandered-chance-to-regain-trust.html">In the News of the World, the last Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey,</a> backs calls for an autumn election.

He argues that "it is time for politicians to listen to the people".

The latest crop of speculation about Gordon Brown sees <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6544235.ece">the Times talk of signs of divisions in his Cabinet.</a>

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/108965/Brown-could-quit-politics-to-avoid-humiliation-of-defeat-at-election">Someone the Express calls a "senior Labour figure" tells the paper that he does not like losing,</a> and may not "stick around to face the music".

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194475/Brown-resign-New-Year-party-new-Election-leader-claim-Labour-insiders.html">The Mail says "Labour insiders" have been discussing the idea</a> that Mr Brown might step down in the New Year.

He may then claim he had helped the economy through the worst of the recession, the paper suggests.

Murray's hope

The papers look forward to Wimbledon, and <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194475/Brown-resign-New-Year-party-new-Election-leader-claim-Labour-insiders.html">the Independent calls Andy Murray "our great hope in white"</a> for the famous competition.

But the Telegraph bluntly asks "can middle England learn to love Murray?"

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/370937/Andy-Murray-reveals-love-for-girlfriend-Kim-Sears-Wimbledon-2009.html">The News of the World thinks it is his "gorgeous girlfriend" Kim Sears</a> who has helped him to "lighten up".

A cartoon in the Express shows him staggering towards the court, carrying a huge burden of good wishes. A voice shouts out: "No pressure, Andy!"