It's hard being an MP, but it's even harder when you have to stop being one." So says Elizabeth Peacock, chair of the Association of Former Members of Parlia­ment. She served as an MP for the West Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen between 1983 and 1997, and, when it was all over, was at a total loss about what to do. So she formed an association. 'Well, actually, I was sort of recruited;' she tells Mace. "I was at a gathering at the Speaker's house, and someone was saying, very loudly: We need a woman from the north who's a Conservative; and his companion said: Well, there aren't any:" Peacock overheard and piped up: 'Well, sir, yes there are - I am one:' She has been spearheading the association, which now has a membership of over 400 - including three former prime ministers - ever since. It takes a special type of person to want to be an MP, and these ex-politicos make up a colourful crowd. Here are some examples of the characters you might find at one of their quarterly gath...