AT a time when the British MP is a deeply unpopular species, I can see that David Cameron's proposal to slash the number of MPs will be attractive to many as a way of saving money.
The Tory leader has pledged to reduce the number of MPs as part of his plans to redistribute power from the political elite to the ordinary man and woman in the street.
I like the ideas of fixed term Parliaments, more free votes, greater freedom for local councils, and the creation of an army of armchair auditors through the publication on-line of MPs' expenses.
But I think we have to be very careful about diluting the effectiveness of MPs. We need MPs who are closer to their constituents - not more detatched.
We need decent MPs who are more accountable to those who vote for them. And, in my book, accountability comes with closer contact and greater interaction with constituents.
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