Why do MPs do it?

Understanding what motivates MPs, better to help them to help you.

With apologies to my former colleague Edward Timpson, typical embellishment of a political sign.

The life of an MP is an all-consuming battle to engage the disengaged, mollify the furious and demanding, and serve effectively the vulnerable. Without thanks but with fierce condemnation and the constant allegation that you don’t really care about wherever.

It may be well-paid indoor work without heavy lifting, but you might reasonably ask why MPs want to do it.