The abject figure of Nadine Dorries in the Australian jungle should be a major impetus to changing the ways in which our MPs are paid. Undoubtedly part of the motivation for her taking time out of the Parliamentary calendar to take up a diet of creepy-crawlies is a simple desire for self publicity. After all, as she is quoted as saying, 16 million people watch the show so that is where MPs (exhibitionist, narcissistic and egotistical bombasts) should be.

But behind the simple desire for publicity lies an insecurity. Like so many MPs in a much quieter way, Mad Nad as the tabloids have christened her, is working on a second career which will undoubtedly prove more financially rewarding than public service. Not so mad.

Why can’t MPs have just one job, working for us? Why do they have to collect directorships like boys collect football cards?

Church of England clergy are provided with housing and a stipend. A stipend is officially defined as the minimum needed to live on, although dependents and working spouses make that a very tricky calculation. If they live in a sufficiently generous parish they can claim expenses.

Why can’t we do the same with MPs?