I’ve only been living in Enfield since last summer, having moved here from central London. And I decided that one of the best ways to learn about my new area was to read the local papers to find out what is going on.

Politics interests me and the local press gives generous coverage to the work of Enfield Borough Council and the area’s MPs.

But one name that has appeared has surprised me, following her fairly recent public disgrace. I’m talking about Joan Ryan, the Labour party prospective parliamentary candidate for Enfield North at the general election. People will hopefully remember her from her time as MP before she lost her seat last time around.

I know little about the current Tory MP for the area, Nick de Bois, who beat her last time. But I do remember reading all about Joan Ryan during the MPs’ expenses scandal.

Ms Ryan became briefly famous for pocketing thousands of pounds in mortgage interest payments on her Enfield ‘second’ home, as well as claiming £4,500 for doing the property up, including redecorating the living room.

Later on, she was one of the MPs who ‘flipped’ their first and second homes, so that her flat in Kennington then became her second home. This allowed her to then claim second home mortgage interest payments on it. She had to repay £5,121.

Firstly, why does an MP need two homes when their constituency is as close to Westminster as Enfield? Secondly, whoever people vote for in May’s election is obviously up to them. But why would anyone vote for someone like Joan Ryan, who has clearly demonstrated she’s in for what she can personally get out of it.

Whoever represents us after the next election, please let it be someone with some personal integrity.

Philip Gollance

Chase Green Avenue, Enfield