Sir, There is cross-party consensus about the need to get more women into the House of Commons, and to encourage women with young families to stand for Parliament. As serving MPs, we are concerned that aspects of Sir Christopher Kelly’s proposals will discourage women who might otherwise seek their party’s nomination, as well as exposing existing MPs to unnecessary risk.

The Kelly report does not address the fact that MPs are, in effect, shift workers. On Mondays and Tuesdays, we are expected to remain at the House of Commons for 10pm votes. The voting process is slow, and means that we are often unable to leave Westminster until 10.45pm. Under Kelly’s proposed regime, MPs whose constituencies are within an hour’s train journey of London will receive no financial assistance to rent accommodation and will have to return home each evening.

Trains are slower and less frequent at night, and some MPs will not be able to reach their home stations until after midnight. In some cases, they will have to alight at unstaffed stations and walk to their cars through car parks or wait for taxis. The risk of mugging or sexual assault is obvious, and is likely to deter women who currently have jobs where the safety of employees is treated with the seriousness it deserves. We cannot believe that Sir Christopher Kelly seriously intends that his proposals should put female MPs at unnecessary risk, but in the light of his report we call on the leaders of our parties to reaffirm their commitment to making Parliament a friendlier place for women. We also call on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to ensure that the safety of current and future MPs is a guiding principle in its deliberations.

Claire Curtis-Thomas, MP, Kali Mountford, MP, Jacqui Lait, MP, Phyllis Starkey, MP

House of Commons, SW1

Sir, Even given the better quality standard of MP to which Sir John Baker, (letter, Nov 6) refers, I am not sure they deserve to be measured against doctors and headteachers for their salaries. Both of these put in years of study and financial sacrifice to obtain academic and professional qualifications needed for their chosen careers. A newly elected MP can achieve with no qualifications and little or no experience.

One could argue the only qualities an MP requires is a thick skin, party loyalty and the gift of the gab.

Reg Kemp March, Cambs

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