Voice of the shires
Sir: Alan Duncan MP, (Letters, 12 Decem- ber) is right when he writes, 'Those who are successful in politics tend to be those who from an early age have harboured no doubts about wanting to be a politician.' He goes on to say rightly that success in anoth- er field does not usually lead to success in politics for older entrants. Yet this marks a big change in the composition of the House 'Let's hope we've sold Saddam the same equipment.' of Commons, as until recently it used to be, and does it produce the kind of House of Commons that people really want and will respect? In earlier days the Tory Party was the party of the gentlemen of England — squires, landowners etc. — and later on they were joined by successful businessmen. The Labour Party had some cloth-capped members who had actually worked in facto- ries or mines. Now the route to office for a Tory MP is often via the Conservative Research Department, Central Office, or a minister's political staff. Labour MPs tend to be university lecturers or teachers. Not many on either side of the House have had managerial responsibility or know that the wages have to be paid on Friday. Are these people familiar with real life outside West- minster? Can they control their civil ser- vants?.Can they cope in a crisis?
John Stokes
Top Barn, Church End, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire
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