IN the past 12 months a new religion has emerged among our MPs – transparency.

New converts are going around proclaiming: “I am considerably more transparent than thou.”

With a bit of luck this new religion may find converts in town halls across the nation.

In next year’s General Election, a candidate will have to consider meeting the following criteria in order to obtain my vote:

● when travelling to work at Parliament by rail, stop using first-class;

● instead of living in a second home in London at taxpayers’ expense, start using bed and breakfast accommodation;

● instead of claiming taxpayers’ money for buying food, use their own – like their constituents have to;

● give a commitment that the money they receive while employed as an MP will be their only source of income.

Keith Dewison, Billingham.