AMID all the hubbub created by the Daily Telegraph and MPs' expenses, a few facts stand out.

1. A small number of MPs seem to have done something that is a matter for the police and the courts.

2. A larger number of MPs, but still a minority, have done things that are surely not illegal but are to their shame. Their constituents will pass judgment if they dare stand again for election.

3. Some of the MPs named have clearly done nothing wrong or have made a small mistake that has been grossly exaggerated. They deserve an apology from the Telegraph.

4. The majority of MPs have not even been accused of anything, yet seven per cent of people in a recent poll thought all MPs were corrupt. Let us hope that none of those seven per cent ever stand for parliament – who would want them in charge of the justice system?

5. A significant minority of MPs has been campaigning for years to try to clean up MPs' expenses. They succeeded in stopping a backbencher's attempt to exempt MPs' expenses from Freedom of Information legislation. They deserve credit for their efforts.

There is a tendency for cynical people to think they are worldly wise, but they are not.

They are gullible, because they will believe anything bad. There are some in the media who seem determined to create cynicism about politicians. Ask yourself why.

Whatever the final outcome of this scandal, we cannot rebuild our parliament and government on cynicism and disrespect.

We need urgently to identify the honest MPs, regardless of party, and rebuild around them.

S Harvey, Hambrook, Bristol.

● I SEE that local MPs, like others whose full expenses have not been revealed yet, are trying to head off the wrath of the public by getting in first to tell us about some of the goods and services we have bought for them.

They are not giving us the full list, of course, just some selected items. Luckily, we'll be able to see the complete lists on the internet in due course – though not thanks to the MPs and the Commons, where they have arranged for many items and transactions to be blacked out.

However, even what we know so far makes interesting reading, particularly where the local MPs try to explain why they claim for this and that and how they simply couldn't do their job without a new dishwasher, or something.

For instance, Labour MP, Mrs Primarolo, admits in the Post of May 16 that she claimed the absolute maximum of £23,083 last year for her "second home" – more than I can earn in a whole year.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Mr Berry up in Kingswood, excuses himself in the Post of May 23 for spending £169 on a toaster (a toaster??). He is quoted as saying, "It's a type that will last for at least 10 years."

This is curious reasoning, because we elect MPs for only five years at a time, and it is quite possible that Mr Berry could be earning his money in some other way after the next election – which we all want to be soon.

So what will he do with our toaster then?

And what will Mrs Primarolo do with our share of her second home in that eventuality?

It would be interesting to get some answers from MPs themselves to these questions.

Mr S Jackson, Bristol.

● WHAT kind of society are we living in at the present time, the country going through a deep recession and members of Parliament fiddling expenses and under scrutiny.

Many celebrities reported to be drug users, overpaid top sportsmen who behave like spoiled brats. How can young children look up to these people as role models?

One exception is young British soldiers who put their lives on the line, hoping to put the world right. They are the real heroes.

There are some very good MPs in the House of Commons, Frank Field being one of them.

He would get my vote as Speaker in the House, but is unlikely to get the post, being too honest and straightforward. It cannot get any worse can it?

Better times must be on the horizon. You have to stay optimistic for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Mr P Hemmings, Bedminster, Bristol.

● THE recent round of government "casualties" doesn't go far enough.

It's all very well for a parasite to leave the host once it's been discovered, but given the amount of sustenance they've enjoyed, dropping off before the real cull won't save them from the public's memory or future scorn.

Who needs Ealing Comedies when you've got the British parliament to watch. Roll on the General Election.

Rupert Beaumanoir, Bishopston, Bristol.

● ALL that you read about MPs, it makes my blood boil when my 18-year-old son just got six years in prison for a lot less then the MPs have done.

Why shouldn't they get a taste of the same medicine? It's scandalous.

Mrs C Bessell, Redfield, Bristol.