Almost certainly it puts me into a minority, but I am someone who has, generally, confidence in and respect for Members of Parliament.

True there are, amongst them, rogues (though surely far fewer than is widely believed), plus a number who see the position as being the gateway to power and prestige; also a few who relish the title and status, but do not represent the people as well as they should. The majority, though I firmly believe to be honest. honourable men and women who work diligently and constantly for the people they represent and do it for a salary possibly less than that of a headteacher of a modestly sized primary school and assuredly less than that paid to the average GP. The Prime Minister's annual stipend is less than many a premier league footballer receives weekly, whilst a cabinet minister's remuneration can be less than that paid to a senior officer in a district council.

Granted, expenses are generous and, as is so very well known, open to abuse; but the fact remains that a Member of Parliament is not rewarded over generously for his or her labours — and has very limited job security. For within five years MPs have to apply to have their contracts renewed with absolutely no guarantee of success. If one is the Labour member for the likes of Ebbw Vale or the Conservative occupant of the ultra safe seat of, say, Kensington then such fortunate folk are not going to be over stressed awaiting their results on election night and their performances as representatives of the people over the period of the parliament will have little relevance (not a good situation).

On the other hand, there are many occupying, uneasily, constituencies where they have small majorities, their future prospects totally at the whim of a somewhat capricious electorate; their frustration here — and vulnerability — is the fact that so often their performance as the elected member for the area, no matter how good it has been, no matter how hard, honestly and unrelentingly they have worked, will have little bearing on their future job prospects. They could well have been magnificent in the role, but it will avail them little if they sport the colours of a party out of favour in the land.

There they will stand in the early hours of, probably, a May morning with a returning officer announcing voting figures which could well mean instant dismissal from the job they have done so ably and diligently for the past five years. No appeal here; no suing against wrongful dismissal; no prospect of the 'boss' having a change of mind and offering a new contract; the P45 will be in the post, a first class stamp attached and the hapless politician who was in high profile, influential, fulfilling employment on the Thursday will find him or herself in the job centre the following day (in theory at least).

It must make the situation even harder for them to bear, to know all too well that sympathy for their 'plight' will hover between minimal and nought. Yet, as 'public sector workers' (which they are, their salaries coming from taxes and government), do they not have a right to expect at least the same sympathy which would come the way of others employed by the state? If a teacher, nurse, police officer, firefighter, council worker, civil servant, or the like, is made redundant there will be many, even now in our somewhat cynical, rather selfish society, voicing concern over their plight even though in most instances they will receive reasonable redundancy and severance payments, plus, often, good pensions. Also a majority will probably have a trade union fighting for their rights and their futures.

The poor old ex MPs, however, are on their own; many mind you, have professions to go back to (lawyers, doctors and the like) whilst others will quite possibly have made productive 'contacts' during their time in the Palace of Westminster, perhaps will have done favours (quite legitimate ones) that might prove to have been 'bread cast upon the water' which can float back as loaves of opportunity in their hour of need. Mind you, despite its uncertainties, its vulnerability to the mood of the people a goodly number of those displaced will, come the next election, still seek a return to the green benches of the House of Commons.

Personally I've never had either the ambition or, assuredly, the ability to be an MP, however, I've always felt there would be something attractive — certainly comfortably rewarding, interesting and stress free — in being the member for a very safe seat here in the South West representing a party permanently in opposition.