Public: 'Give us more factory worker MPs, no more former journalists'

Nearly half of British voters would like to see fewer journalists and lawyers elected to parliament while a majority would like to see more factory workers.

The study, carried out by YouGov, also found that of all professions, doctors would be the most favourable choice for parliamentarians, with scientists a close second.

Since 1979 at least one in 10 MPs from the three main parties has been a former solicitor or barrister with the percentage of former journalists or publishers never falling below six per cent, according to YouGov.

The representation of former factory workers, meanwhile, has dropped from 15.8 per cent 35 years ago to just 4 per cent today.

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