AN alternative take on an MPs travel expenses could be that it reflects the time spent and distance travelled dealing with constituency matters ("Get a car John", Letters, November 6).

In our experience, John Grogan is an assiduous constituency MP.

If it is true that he does not drive a car, that actually places him amongst tomorrow's men. He will have a clear idea of the travel problems, which will inevitably face his constituents in the near future, as oil prices and need to restrict pollution by private cars rise.

Incidentally for David Sammels to call him a Blairite is an odd way of describing one of the very few Labour MPs who had the real courage to vote against this illegal, disastrous war.

He is one of today's rarities: a independent-minded Member of Parliament.

Maurice and Francoise Vassie,

Cartmans Cottage,

Deighton,

York.

Updated: 09:49 Wednesday, November 10, 2004