The glitz of G20 is over - now we must focus on Britain

The G20 has been in town, and London has been full of motorcades and police outriders.

Many of the agreements reached by the G20 are right and good, although I think it's a great shame that no timetable was set for getting the Doha trade round completed.

The one thing that Gordon Brown has been endlessly calling for is yet more debt-funded fiscal stimulus in the UK - so I was relieved that he was not able to use the G20 meeting to justify this. The warning by the Governor of the Bank of England last week made clear that Britain just can't afford it.

But now we must focus on Britain and the families and businesses struggling so hard to get through this recession. The glitz and glamour of this week must seem very remote to the small businessman who still can't secure the credit to stay afloat - or the mother worrying if she'll be able to keep a roof over her children's heads.

This week I also had the chance to discuss the economy - and other issues - with President Obama, and the Presidents of Mexico, Indonesia and South Korea, as well as the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and the Czech Republic.

It is rare, in Opposition, to have the chance to meet a large number of leaders of other countries in a few days. The meetings gave me an insight into how other countries are coping with the recession - and the chance to discuss key issues like Afghanistan and Iran.

Sam also met with Michelle Obama, and was very struck by how friendly and down to earth she was.

But while the G20 was of course the main event of the week, I'm sure that the subject of MPs expenses has also been discussed in the pubs and bars up and down the country.

I used PMQs to ask the Prime Minister for an urgent meeting - with the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg - to try and resolve what is a deeply damaging issue for all politicians.

Gordon Brown has agreed to that meeting, but still seems set on the idea of waiting for an independent review. I feel strongly that we've gone beyond that point. Trust and belief in politics is being eroded on an almost daily basis by the drip-drip effect of more scandals.

We badly need political leadership to sort this out. That cannot wait until after the next election.

Have a good weekend.