SIR – Peter Luff (Your MP Writes, November 27) is, of course, fully entitled to attack the Prime Minister for his handling of the economy, or indeed for anything else, but to use such words as arsonist and drunkard, even metaphorically, is deplorable, especially for an MP of his seniority and standing.

As Mr Luff knows, I entirely support his view that MPs are undervalued and seriously underpaid.

But the use of such intemperate language in political debate does nothing to counter the low opinion of MPs held by most of the population.

As to the substance of his argument, such as it is, it seems to consist entirely in saying, as the legendary Irishman did on being asked the way to somewhere, that he wouldn’t start from here.

But we are where we are and neither he nor his party give us any indication of what, if anything, they would do in the present situation.

DAVID TERRY,

Droitwich.