• THESE are miserable times: politicians both local and national seem to be letting us down.

Two years ago the Finnish government randomly gave 2000 subjects a £4,100 guaranteed wage whether they worked or not.

After two years reports indicated (February 8 New Scientist) the subjects productivity and ability to find a job didn’t improve but they were more content?

Perhaps Camden could divide the total expenses paid our councillors by £4,100. Each councillor could be allocated reduced expenses of £4,100 and the remaining shares randomly allocated to other Camden citizens.

Would councillors productivity decrease if they were paid less? Would we have fewer standing to be a mayor or a cabinet councillor if they no longer received expenses matching the United Kingdom median salary of £27k plus a smartphone, and the services of council officers to compose their responses?

I don’t know. But I feel the recipients randomly allocated £4,100 would be more content, thus successfully adding to the happiness of the borough and joy of the country.

DAVID A WILLIAMS
Address supplied