March 5 Letters: MP sets the record straight on her record and earnings

IT is is always a delight to read letters from George Winn Darley (The Yorkshire Post, February 27). It is therefore altogether surprising, given his wealth of knowledge, to find him falling into error in applying it to my own case. May I correct the impression he has no doubt innocently offered to your readers?

During 18 years as an MP, it has been a privilege to serve the area and constituents of all backgrounds.

Until the election in May, I shall do my utmost to support the vital work towards achieving another Conservative Government and ensuring the recovery, so well set out in recent figures, continues.

I have enjoyed wonderful times, and have so many thanks to give to individuals, not least my husband.

Were I not to contest my seat on May 7, I would not receive a redundancy payment. Nor do I have a Parliamentary pension to fall back on – an MP’s pension begins at age 65 and the State pension at 67. And I should point out, I am not yet of pensionable age.

Unlike many other MPs, I have devoted myself to parliamentary and constituency work. I have not taken any other paid appointments and remain amongst the busiest of back-benchers.

Chairing the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee neatly dovetails with and reflects the key concerns of many of my constituents – but leaves no time for other paid work. It follows that whilst I have the energy and intention of continuing to work in an ethical manner after May, continuing my commitment to the rural community and environment, I have neither a private nor commercial income on which to plan or draw. I make no complaint about this: the last five years have been exceptional and I am sure that we have turned a corner.

I look forward to the Prime Minister leading us to a vital Conservative victory on May 7.

From: Les Arnott, Athelstan Road, Sheffield.

A RECENT poll has suggested that the Conservative Party is now considered more right-wing than Ukip.

The usual suspects talked this down as “political ignorance”.

But it is just possible that us common folk know more than we are being given credit for?

Certainly, Ukip seems to care considerably more about ordinary working people than do the Tories – which might largely explain that poll result.