THIS column would like to make a serious point today.
Often in society we hear of appeals on behalf of those who find it hard to get by. We respond, as good citizens do, by digging into our pockets.
Today, I would like to raise awareness of the plight of those who, through no fault of their own, frequently struggle to make a living.
They have served this country well. They have spent long hours running very large departments, dealing with civil servants, making speeches, visiting factories and enduring countless photo-opportunities. And all of this, of course, in addition to the ceaseless demands of their everyday work.
Once their careers are over, these men and women often disappear into the twilight, rarely to be heard from again. Let us call them, for the sake of convenience, 'Former Cabinet Ministers'.
It matters not a jot that some of them remain as Members of Parliament, earning £67,000 each year. It would take a heart of stone not to respond sympathetically to the words of one such man - he has asked us to refer to him merely as Sir Malcolm R. - who says it is unrealistic to believe that MPs can live on £67,000 without being forced to look for extra income. He is, of course, absolutely correct.
Can it be right that Former Cabinet Ministers as Jack S. and Sir Malcolm R. have to go the lengths of making speeches for sweatshop remuneration in excess of £5,000 for a few hours' work, simply to keep body and soul together?
Malcolm R. and Jack S. have this week been pilloried - there is, frankly, no other word for it - for being filmed offering their services to a non-existent Chinese company. This surely is a mistake that anyone could make. There but for the Grace of God, and all the rest of it.
Sir Malcolm R. moved me - and, I am sure, many of you - when he bravely defended his position. "I want to have," he said, "a standard of living that my professional background would normally entitle me to have."
Now Jack S. has been forced to take a job with a firm which won a massive government contract after he lobbied a minister on its behalf.
I ask you, can we call ourselves a modern, caring society when we allow these loyal public servants to be driven to such lengths? That is why this column is launching an appeal for these men and women, to allow them to live dignified lives without having to raise money by unedifying means.
Please give all you can. Thank you.
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