D Walker of Barrow-ford wrote that he started to pray after reading that John (Lord) Prescott was considering putting himself forward for election as police commissioner (LT, January 26).

Ah, yes, John Prescott, who’s he?

A man who rose from Ship Steward to Deputy Prime Minster through hard graft and determination and never forgot his roots.

He should be an inspiration to anyone who wants get ahead in life – a man who wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and didn’t go to private school.

Cameron, Clegg and Osborne all went to private schools with fees now higher than the average annual wage.

Oh for the days of John Prescott and the merit-ocracy.

He’s worth ten of them.

Toffeguy (via email).