Darling’s reward

AS A constituent of former chancellor Alistair Darling I find it astonishing that he earned £263,000 from activities outwith his job as an MP, a sum four times his MP’s salary.

Mr Darling was a minister for the full period of the Blair/Brown Labour administrations, which ended with a huge loss of seats and share of the vote in 2010.

Yet within three years of such a disaster, for which he cannot escape some responsibility, he has managed to improve his material circumstances in a manner to be envied by those faring less well because of his legacy.

Rewards amid failure, it seems to me, clearly don’t just apply to bankers.

Roderick macfarquhAR

Viewforth Gardens, Edinburgh