I read recently that a former Tory party leader suggests that huge earnings from City directorships and after-dinner engagements give members of the shadow cabinet not only large amounts of money but an insight into how the world works, and by some sort of postprandial osmosis, makes them more aware of the realities of life in the business world of today. I almost agree.

The only details in Mr Hague's picture that I would change would be to make extra-parliamentary work compulsory; each member of the lower house would be obliged to work for at least three months each year as a classroom assistant, hospital cleaner or porter, burger slinger in a major franchise, shelf-stacker or checkout person in a supermarket, street sweeper, parking attendant, prison visitor or call-centre employee.

Completion of the full three months, on the same terms as any other employee, including wage rates, would be a necessary condition of taking up a further year as an MP. Any infringement of any of the conditions of employment which apply to all other employees would result in the automatic calling of a by-election, and forfeiture of parliamentary pension.

I believe that this minor adjustment to the terms and conditions of our MPs would fulfil William Hague's objectives, and the realities of life in both the public and private sector would become very quickly all the clearer to, and the problems therein all the more quickly solved by, our elected representatives.

A J Clarence,
Prestwick.