Brits to Boot Half of Parliament

At least half of the House of Commons will vacate their seats this year as voters express their displeasure over the embarrassing expenses scandal, according to polls. About 325 MPs are expected to resign, quit, or be defeated at the ballot box, which will make for the biggest clear-out of Parliament since 1945. Almost 40 Labour MPs have already resigned amid public outrage over the misuse of their allowances, which saw MPs buying personal items with taxpayer money. The Conservative Party is expected to win the election by 80 seats, though Prime Minister Gordon Brown has yet to set a date for the election. One politician said the turnover is due to "despair" in the party.