IT'S VERY public-spirited of schools minister Ed Balls to make it known that his baby daughter Ellie had the controversial MMR, measles, mumps and rubella jab a few years back. Just as it was right and proper of Gordon Brown to let it be known that his son, John, has had the jab, too.

But what many people would love to know is if Tony and Cherie Blair's son Leo ever had MMR. And if he did not, why not?

The reason they would like to know is because it was Blair's regime that clamped down on parents whose worries about the safety of this triple-vac led to them demanding the same inoculations, but in single form, instead.

It was also Blair's regime which incentivised doctors to promote this vaccination when many parents felt they didn't know the entire truth behind claims of a possible link with autism and bowel disease.

For the record, both mine have had the MMR jab. But after speaking to my health visitor, I decided I didn't want them get-ting the second shot.

Especially since my eldest underwent a life-threatening asthma attack within seven days of his first MMR innoculation and is still on the medication.

Like many of those who didn't get their kids inoculated in the manner which the government dictates, I know I'm branded as selfish and mis-informed.

And it would be very convenient for the critics if they could lay the blame for the low uptake on parents like me, who they believe won't listen to reason.

But slipping under the radar of last week's scaremongering reports about a leap in measles figures was the interesting suggestion that many of the children who aren't inoculated against MMR come from the travelling community.

And the one unfortunate child who did die from measles last year came from that community also.

So if the healthcare establishment is as worried as it claims, maybe they should direct their energies there.

Unlike certain politicians and the healthcare establishment I make no judgement about any parent, and that includes the former PM, who may have decided not to get their child inoculated, or who opt to get the MMR vaccinations done separately because they believe it to be safer.

But I do believe that all mums and dads have the right to know just why someone in high office, with access to possibly confidential medical research, may decide they don't want their child to receive this still-controversial vaccination.