MPs deserve more respect, says Hoon

Politicians should get more respect, Leader of the Commons Geoff Hoon complained today.

The former defence secretary says the public must stop thinking of MPs as "a bunch of second raters".

In an extraordinary plea, he claimed the image was "grossly unfair".

Mr Hoon - regarded as one of Labour's most unpopular figures - hits out at the public perception of politicians in The Guardian today.

The frontbencher says Westminster is facing a " crisis of respect" and must communicate with voters better.

He plans to hold meetings with newspaper editors and broadcasters to discuss how to improve Parliament's image.