Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Well, now might be the time to think about it, especially if you're a disabled person (or female, or from an ethnic minority).

According to reports from both and , a special committee of MPs, known as a 'Speaker's Conference', is going to examine ways of making the Commons more representative of the UK as a whole. Or, as The Guardian puts it, to try and improve the public perception that MPs are "a narrow, self-serving elite who bear no relation to the population as a whole". (Their words, not mine. I didn't say nuffink, awlroight?)

So what could it mean in real terms? Well, the idea of all-black and all-women shortlists for political parties looking for parliamentary candidates is one possibility. No mention of all-disabled shortlists, though. Hmm. However, such shortlists have proved controversial in the past, and there's a commonly held belief that a better way to increase the representation of minorities is to encourage and make it easier for them to get selected in the first place.

One of the subjects this conference is likely to debate, which is of course particularly important to potential candidates with disabilities, is access to Parliament itself. The Palace of Westminster - like many old buildings - isn't particularly well adapted to those of us who wheel, wobble or go about our business with the use of various mobility aids.

So, if you've ever thought of going into politics, there might just be a chance that it'll soon be a little easier to stick on a rosette (of whichever colour you fancy) and get out there on people's doorsteps asking them how they're going to vote.

The question is: would you want to be an MP?