IT is most gratifying to hear that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott only took a very small staff with him on his latest "important diplomatic mission" to America and the Caribbean on "our" behalf, to wit: a special advisor (he never listens?), two press officers (can't buy a paper?), two private secretaries (can't write?), a speechwriter (huh?) and two bodyguards (can't miss him?).

How parsimonious of him to keep the estimated cost at about £50,000 to the taxpayer (for what?).

Is it no wonder that "our politicians" are held in such low regard when they can behave in such a manner, especially if the reported attitude he is said to have adopted - Eff them, because I'll be the one coming back with the 'effing suntan' - is correct.

It is about time our whole political system was overhauled to the voters' benefit and not, as at present, to their benefit.

M Hawkins, Durham.