Representative misconduct, voter perceptions and accountability: Evidence from the 2009 House of Commons expenses scandal

► We examine voters' beliefs about their MP's involvement in the expenses scandal. ► Voters' perceptions were surprisingly responsive to public information. ► Yet voter ignorance was considerable, while partisan bias shaped perceptions. ► Voters mostly failed to punish incumbents based on these beliefs. ► Accountability can fail even when information is available and voters are informed.