I am not sure that it really matters whether an MP has ‘local roots’ or not, though election leaflets assume this is important. In my constituency, the Labour candidate makes something of the fact that he is a ‘local man’, the Lib Dem current MP wants us to know that he has lived here for many years. Truly pathetic, however, is the Tory wannabe, (who seems to have spent his life in the noble profession of advertising) who says that he ‘went to school’ in the area. Not much digging shows exactly how much he is down with the homies in our ‘hood – it was a very expensive private school (of the sort which affects to call itself ‘public’). Well, I feel a real connection with him, knowing that. He would be bound to be really keen on ensuring a good education for those without pushy, snobby parents, those of us who think how well we get on in life ought to depend on our own talents, not gaining access to rich and influential schools. How nice it would be to wipe that smirk of entitlement from his face with a humiliating defeat. Here’s hoping. Come on Britain!