Letter: Plato's training for rulers of the state

Sir: Plato in The Republic demands that the rulers of the state should live and be housed so that their dwellings are open to all citizens and that they should live as men under strict military training and discipline (Letters; "Socratic road to political wisdom", 7 May).

Their food is to be provided by the other citizens as an agreed wage for the duties they perform as Guardians, and it should be suitable for brave men living under military training and discipline. They are not allowed to handle money, nor to possess silver or gold. They must eat together in messes and live like soldiers in camp, although they must have enough provision to enable them to do their duty and not be tempted to prey upon the community.

Strange, I don't seem to have seen MPs living like that.

PAMELA DONOHUE

Sheffield