AS the “mother of parliaments”

sinks slowly in the south, many politicians in it must be relieved they have arranged a large pension for themselves – as all the ruling classes do here.

In 1940, Britishness asserted itself under Churchill to fight Hitler; then in 1945 those who had struggled against the threat of a deadly oppression voted for a change in Westminster.

Talented and principled people took over in the Commons, balanced by the ancien regime (which meant much less need for acquisitiveness). Our democratic system peaked, but now the Palace of Westminster is known as “the best club in the country”.

Senior civil servants and politicians establish contacts to ensure lucrative sinecures outside upon early retirement.

Dodgy agencies connect government with outside interests, moneylenders and government have merged.

Brussels will not feel the cuts we will be getting for many years to come from Westminster.

Most of the public vote for whoever offers the most – greed is the oil that runs our country now. We have neither a community nor a nation. So the politicians we look at with contempt are a reflection of ourselves – that is democracy.

F Evans, Sunderland.

WHY is the country in crisis?

Whose fault is it? Bankers, financiers, or our politicians?

The media blames all. But are we to blame? Have we lost the will to struggle and fight for what is right and what has happened?

Greed has taken over. Many of our leaders – political, industrial, commercial and financial – have set examples of greed which have filtered down society to all levels. As usual, the poor are hit hardest.

Some MPs claim interest and much more for their second homes. No wonder they voted en masse not to reveal their expenses accounts to the public.

Not only their claims should be published, but also how they voted at every stage of the expenses debate.

Our Right Honourable friends legislate (rightly so) to defeat fraud among benefits claimants.

Yes, prosecute those guilty of fraud, but put your own house (at Westminster) in order first.

George Watson, South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.

BRITISH Airways’ record annual loss of £401m (Echo, May 23) shows just how badly reform of the financial sector is required.

That oil prices are allowed to go up and down to such a degree is plain stupid. It effects everyone from transport to farming and it has to stop, along with the speculative selling of currencies and shares.

The media is ignoring our financial problems in favour of the corrupt politicians headline; but is not one a symptom of the other?

We need change in the way we govern our world and we must start that change now.

David Preston, Darlington.