David Cameron leads the oldest political party in the world - one often perceived as an establishment party. The expenses scandal thus left the Conservatives peculiarly vulnerable. Although Labour MPs were most guilty of expenses abuse and three are facing criminal prosecution it was the Tory stories of claims for duck housess, moats and chandeliers that caused most public excitement. Cameron was quickest of the party leaders to respond to the public mood and put pressure on Brown during the summer expenses crisis of 2009. He forced his front bench to publish details of their expenses and pay back money if necessary. He was also prepared to force Conservative MPs to stand down.
But if Cameron led on expenses he took his eye off the ball. By the autumn it was politics as usual at the Tory Party Conference - with the focus on the Conservative "Big Society" alternative to Labour's Big State. The Tories also prepared for an election as usual. Although they won the early exchanges with Labour over national insurance, the campaign failed to move voters decisively. A key reason was the background of public suspicion of all politicians and the Westminster system. The TV debates gave the Liberals the chance to claim ownership of this disillusion, and project themselves as the champions of radical reform.