Sir – How on earth can Jenny Telford (WHT, June 4) compare the efforts of Grant Shapps with our former MP, Melanie Johnson? Ms Johnson served her apprenticeship as a member of Parliament working (repeat, working) her way up through the ranks to have

Sir - How on earth can Jenny Telford (WHT, June 4) compare the efforts of Grant Shapps with our former MP, Melanie Johnson? Ms Johnson served her apprenticeship as a member of Parliament working (repeat, working) her way up through the ranks to have governmental responsibility in the Ministry of Health.

She had responsibilities to the entire population, not just to her constituents in Welwyn/Hatfield. Not for her the luxury of being able to go home every night to her family. And not for her the chance of spending five years and tens of thousands of pounds, donated by party activists who had specifically targeted our constituency, cultivating it.

He was also given the time and money to develop a team of 'volunteers'. What has his parliamentary time achieved? At least when Ms Johnson was our MP we were promised a new hospital. With her demise went also that project. Underhand politics? Yes, probably. But all parties are equally guilty - the delay in announcing the Hatfield re-development problem until after the local elections springs to mind.

Quite interesting really because Shapps was against the re-development of WGC Town Centre. Perhaps he is happy with the Hatfield situation. One thing is for sure. Politicians generally look after themselves first.

J Evans, Knightsfield, WGC.