The prime minister has called for a political consensus on moves to rebuild trust in the House of Commons.
Addressing a more muted chamber than seen in recent weeks, Gordon Brown called for solutions which "go beyond ordinary party politics".
His comments came as David Cameron said there should be tougher action to look at claims made by MPs over the last four years.
While the Commons members' estimate committee has agreed that an independent auditor should assess past claims, the Conservative leader said it was the rules themselves that are flawed.
Just to look at compliance with the wrong rules "doesn't go to the heart of the problem", he warned.
And for the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg expressed frustration that proposals for immediate reform do not prevent MPs from making capital gains on properties paid for by taxpayers.
Brown told the Commons, however, that the core issues should be examined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).
An independent body, not MPs themselves, should propose the long term changes if they are to maintain public support, he said.
The prime minister also conceded that there had been a "looseness" with the rules, but repeated that the CSPL would examine this.
But Cameron said more should be done, calling for MPs to publish thier expenses online as claims are made.
He also said the communications allowance for MPs should be scrapped and called for a reduction in the size of the Commons.
Criticising the prime minister, the Tory leader said that "what we want is some leadership to cut some of these costs".
He said Brown "has such a tin ear to some of these issues".
"Isn't it time to see ourselves as the rest of the country sees us?" asked Cameron
"How can we bring about the change the country needs if we cannot change ourselves?"
The prime minister, however, insisted that he was "trying to build a political consensus on change".
"It is unfortunate today we cannot highlight those issues on which we agree," he added.
"I think today is a time for all of us to come together to make the changes which are necessary."
Brown added: "I am sorry he has chosen today to divide on issues."
And he said it was "a problem of the political system that has got to be dealt with by all of us".
Clegg expressed concern that the public would be "baffled" by proposed solutions.
He said the "biggest loophole of all" was buying properties funded by the taxpayer, and said that MPs should be "out of the property game altogether".
The prime minister said the CPSL should examine the issue.
"It cannot just be an issue for members to make long term decisions upon," the prime minister said.
