In Faith Matters (Daily Echo, May 23) Ruth Oliver poses the question whether it is time to pray for MPs.

Annette Brook, MP for Mid Dorset is quoted as stating that she will be grateful for the prayers in these “unprecedented and difficult times” and “...that knowing that others were claiming large sums of money for furniture and other items led others to make similar claims”. She then makes the usual claim that “...many were not actually breaking the rules...”

The “difficult and unprecedented times” are because they have been found out.

Knowing that others have been making greedy and cynical claims for expenses that have nothing to do with performing parliamentary duties doesn’t mean that you have to do likewise. Pray for our MPs?

Yes – that they will have the humility and sense of shame to resign as MPs immediately and never seek public office again.


Kenneth Bell, Mudeford Lane, Christchurch