IT has been another appalling week for MPs, Parliament and the political system in general.

So, not a bad time for the Daily Echo to launch the first of our live blogs with some of those who represent us.

Yesterday, Conservative Tobias Ellwood and Liberal Democrat Annette Brooke came into our offices at our own invitation to answer questions from readers in real time on the Echo website.

Labour MP Jim Knight took part in the exercise from his office in London.

By the end of the day, hundreds of people had taken part in the initiative, which may become a regular thing.

Okay, so it’s not exactly Any Questions, but when politicians as a breed are held in such low public esteem, this kind of communication with electors can only help – albeit as a very small step on the way to repairing the broken relationship between governors and governed.

It may not be true, but the public perception is certainly that MPs have never been so detached from reality or so out of touch with their electors, no matter how much they protest otherwise.

The need for proper accountability has never been greater and neither has the need for the public voice to be heard and acted upon.

Meanwhile the people will speak on Thursday in the last national poll before the general election and June 4 promises to be an interesting, if not bizarre day.

So whether you’ve only got a vote in the European poll or you also have a say in the county elections, do your duty no matter how disillusioned you are.

Decisions are made by those who turn up. And that’s never been more important.