How I fully agree with John Trenchard (Opinion, May 3). Why should a sitting MP of any party think other people should finance their election?

A sitting MP is given six months' severance pay if he or she loses the election.

Why cannot he or she be expected to raise a loan using that guaranteed severance pay as security?

If a few more of them were to gamble their own money at election time, they might act with a bit more integrity once elected.

-K H Jeanes, Highfield Drive, Hurstpierpoint