‘Sleaze’ is not just a Conservative Party problem – but Boris Johnson is

sir – Like a flock of angry parrots, Labour, the SNP, Sky News, Channel 4 and the BBC have squawked incessantly about “Tory sleaze”, past and present. Yet we hear barely a cheep about Labour sleaze – from the Wilson government to the Blair years – or the shenanigans in Holyrood.

The public needs reminding that sleaze in Parliament, abominable though it is, has always been a crossparty problem. But that alone will not save the Conservatives. They must be seen to be taking decisive remedial action. That could include the removal of Boris Johnson.

Terry Smith

London NW11

sir – At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer again berated Mr Johnson, reminding him that “the joke is not funny anymore”.

A confident comedian should be able to counter such heckling without hostility. Sadly, this one cannot. Cameron Morice

Reading, Berkshire sir – I suspect that even with a new system devised for MPS, one of them will find a way round it soon enough.

It is a shame that they require more regulations because they cannot be trusted to work “with honour”. In a better world, MPS would either act with integrity or resign.

John Snook

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

sir – For the past few years, my MP has not replied to any of my queries, apart from a statement telling me that he has limited resources. He is also a dentist.

Understanding voters’ views, and representing them in Parliament, is a big job. MPS’ focus should be entirely on that; they should not be part-time. Alan Belk

Leatherhead, Surrey

sir – Alexander Barber (Letters, November 16) argues that “it is not possible to have a lifestyle commensurate with being a professional” on an MP’S salary.

Does he have any idea how much many – if not most – professionals actually earn? His claim is insulting to the architects, engineers, solicitors, accountants and others who would love to be so well remunerated.

When I was an architect, I could only have earned an MP’S salary if I’d charged my clients twice the going rate – which they would have baulked at, leaving me to either go hungry or reduce my fee. If we paid our MPS between £250,000 and £500,000, as Dr Barber suggests, everyone would want to run for Parliament.

Nigel Blackman

York

sir – Judith Barnes (Letters, November 17) says MPS should be required to have professional or business experience. I would suggest another qualification: to have grown up in their constituency or have been resident for, say, 10 years.

Such commitment and knowledge would enable them better to serve their constituents.

James Borradaile Blandford Forum, Dorset