WE have followed the debate in the national papers this week on MP’s salaries, and Mr Kidd’s letter last week brought that issue home to roost by asking conscientious MPs to forego their 11 per cent pay rise.

I wonder if Sir George will do that?

Bear in mind, of course, that it is on record the public purse pays his staff £83,682 per annum, which includes his daughter Camilla as his office manager, who is paid between £35K and £40K a year.

Given my present stance on councillor allowances where I donate 100 per cent of them to Neighbour Care, were I elected as a Member of Parliament, my stance would be similar.

As long as I have a roof overmyhead and food inmybelly, I would donate all my MP’s salary to good causes.

Furthermore, as I do at present, I would find volunteers to handle my correspondence and do my research.

Politics used to be a vocation where good-minded people repaid their debt to society, to help their communities.

Unfortunately, it has become a career where the only beneficiary of it is the elected representative.

I aim to do my bit to reverse that trend.

Tony Hooke