SIR – Last week, various political commentators used the terms smooth operator; accomplished politician; smooth-talking; choosing their words carefully; legal expertise, and even “sly old foxes”.

These phrases were attributed to Jack Straw and Tony Blair, both lawyers, and no doubt soon to be Gordon Brown, ex-lecturer in politics, all in the Iraq Inquiry.

Well, the public don’t want any “sly old foxes” in Parliament.

They want honest, straightforward, above-board leaders they can look up to and trust, and have the interests of the majority of voters in the country at heart; not just themselves, their spin doctors and party.

Why not put certain leading lights, and the weak questioners on the endless inquiries, on a plane to Iraq, get them in uniform and see how brave they are?

A M Rawlinson, Moore Avenue, Wibsey