NICE to see us public service workers being penalised for the recession by not being allowed a pay rise, despite bills going up almost on a daily basis.

It was not the public sector that caused the recession it was the banks – yet they are allowed and encouraged to give themselves millions in bonuses for failing the economy!

I would like to ask how MPs have managed to secure a pay rise for themselves.

Surely this, on top of the expenses scandal, should show the public how much of a club this institution is and how out of touch it is with the country it pretends to represent.

With an election looming, all the parties will promise the earth with no intention of delivering.

Yet we, the electorate, will blindly go and put our crosses on a piece of paper under the laughable term of democracy!

Ask yourself before you vote, why are you voting for, whoever you are?

The names on the paper will not be representing you and your needs.

They will toe their party lines, so why should you invest your taxes on these individuals?

When was the last time or, indeed the first time, a standing MP ever asked their constituents how they wished them to vote on a matter that affects the whole country?

Answer: Never, and they never will.

Britain is not a democracy and it never has been.

Having a vote changes nothing.

The old boys' club still rules in its own established and disgraced way, except now it includes girls – but the clique is there and will remain, whatever happens on election day this year, in five years or for the forseeable future.

All I ask is that when you vote you do not kid yourself you are helping to change anything, certainly not the status quo that has ruled this land since politicians invented themselves and created a world much the worse for wear.

Michael Shaw,

Granite House,

Heyworth Street,

Derby.