Not impressed by MP quitting committee

OVER the past nearly three years I have tried to give our MP Laura Farris the benefit of the doubt, to consider that underneath the blatant careerism, an obsession with matters of minor interest and some daft remarks about the pandemic lies a sensible politician with good ideals.

Following her resignation in July from the Privileges Committee, the one tasked with investigating whether Johnson lied to Parliament, I have changed my mind.

Every MP knows that a committee membership has to end if appointed a minister.

Mrs Farris knew full well when she joined the Privileges Committee of the likelihood of an investigation into Johnson, so why did she join it originally?

Now she says she wants to work on the challenges facing us, her constituents.

Another MP will have to be brought up to speed with whatever the committee has achieved so far. I believe she remains on the Justice Committee, but if committee work is so onerous for her, how can she ever contemplate managing a junior ministerial job one day with her constituency work?

Together with her earlier

Home Affairs Select Committee membership and a short-lived role as a PPS, that means she has had four minor roles since December 2019, a rate of turnover of activity even exceeding that of the managership of football clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United.

What really irks me is that over three weeks have elapsed since I emailed her with one particular non-contentious suggestion regarding the energy price crisis. I suggested a temporary removal of VAT on such as loft insulation materials to encourage people to improve their house insulation this autumn. I have heard nothing. These are desperate times for many households regarding the cost of gas and electricity, we need an MP capable of asking ministers constructive questions to alleviate the difficulties. Mrs Farris clearly is not such a person.

JULIAN WAGHORN Bucklebury Alley