Letter: Tables that would put ministers in their place

Sir: It is now evident that our road to national success is by way of lots of league tables. Only by the pressure of anxious competition can people be persuaded to do their jobs properly.

But why not extend this healthy custom to government ministers? What about some retrospectives for a start? Ministers of Education since 1979? Chairmen of the Conservative Party? (It would be interesting to observe that some of those near the foot of the table have earned promotion since.)

And then a table every quarter or six months showing the current placings? Criteria? Well, consistency, truthfulness, loyalty, sensitivity, compassion for the poor - one could think of other positive points, while marks would be deducted for the opposite qualities. An early table of this kind might even assist the Prime Minister with that reshuffle we have so eagerly awaited.

Yours faithfully,

PATRICK RODGER

Edinburgh