MPs making a difference

I have noted before that MPs may seek to present a hinterland of them as human beings. I found this example of Tom Brake getting involved in the CSV's Make a Difference day very interesting. It gives a sense of Tom as a caring individual putting something back. But it also highlights what is the role of a backbencher, particularly one not on the Government side of the Chamber. I suspect this is an example of a very active element of the constituency role. That MPs, having limited policy influence and increasingly marginalised by their national parties and the media, seek an alternative justifuiation for their existence. Constituency service has helped meet this need for a purpose. The question is do we want our MPs to go further and further down this route, or do we want them to play a greater role in the development of policy and scrutiny of government actions? I suspect we do want to encourage the constituency service role, for here is where MPs can enhance the representative riole, and hence reach individual constituents. However, I also feel MPs need a more 'meaty' policy role, which might then justify a much higher salary and bypass the argument over expenses.