STEVE Gladwin argues that, at a time of austerity, I should be turning down parliamentary “short” money (letters page, May 18th).

These funds are designed to help parliamentary parties in opposition to hold the government of the day to account – that matters, austerity or no austerity.

It’s part and parcel of a healthy democracy and, in the case of the Greens, short money helps redress the imbalance that arises form the extent to which bigger parties, especially the Conservatives, are effectively pay rolled by corporate donors.

Effective parliamentary opposition isn’t inevitable. MPs like myself need to combine that role with being good constituency MPs too, and short money helps to make that possible.

In the last parliament, I asked an above average number of parliamentary questions, spoke in an above average number of parliamentary debates and tabled an above average number of amendments and motions.

That was all possible thanks to short money – and it benefits my constituents and the country as a whole.

Given the bigger parties all want to impose spending cuts, it’s vital that those voices in parliament who are prepared to speak out about the economic illiteracy of austerity, as well as the very real and damaging impacts on individuals and communities, are adequately resourced. That’s the only way to ensure there’s a proper debate.

Our electoral system is broken, meaning the Greens have just one MP rather than the 25 we would have if representation was linked to our 1 million plus vote share. As a result, the Green Party’s share of short money, which is linked to how many votes are cast nationally, is concentrated in my office.

I sincerely wish I had 24 other MPs to share it with. Short money is audited to ensure it’s spent in line with the rules and I’ve previously spent the £65k grant on employing a full-time researcher and contributing towards the wages of other members of staff.

I am still considering research priorities for the extra funds available – with the Government attacking everything from our NHS to our human rights, there are numerous demands – but readers can be assured I’ll make that information known as soon as possible.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion