MPs who may face a career change after the general election

MICHAEL BATES, MP since 1992 (Langbaurgh, now Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East, a marginal) is only 35 and has worked for financial companies but his experience will be out of date. His position as a whip will be less useful than if he had had full ministerial experience.

Employability rating 6/10

JERRY HAYES, the colourful Essex MP (Harlow) since 1983, will have damaged his job prospects a bit through the alleged gay scandal with a researcher, but has possibilities in the media or public relations because of his high profile and energy. Already has some public relations consultancies.

Employability rating 5/10

IAN TWINN, the unknown member for Edmonton, was a lecturer in planning before becoming coming an MP in 1983 and has never got beyond the junior position as a parliamentary private secretary to various ministers. Will find it tough out there.

Employability rating 4/10

SIR IVAN LAWRENCE QC, the MP for Burton and chairman of the Home Affairs select committee has continued to practise as a barrister during his time in Parliament since 1974 and therefore will have no difficulty in earning much more money, being unconstrained by having to sit in Parliament.

Employability rating 10/10

SEBASTIAN COE, the former gold medallist runner who sits for the three-way marginal Falmouth, should have no trouble finding himself other work, given his reputation. He is also at present Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Heseltine, which may well help him get another seat. Employability rating 9/10.

EDWINA CURRIE, who is defending highly marginal South Derbyshire, will not have done her prospects of getting a Euro-seat, her stated aim, any good with last week's remarks about John Major. However, with a couple of bonkbuster books to her credit and a high profile, she won't be short of work. Employability rating 8/10.