Being an MP is one of the most demanding - and sometimes thankless - jobs. As part of the SNJ's Me and my Job series, Liz Weafer caught up with David Drew to find out what it is really like being a politician.

AFTER a punishingly hot day in our oppressive little office I had rather anticipated conducting my interview with David Drew in a pub garden with an ice cold beer.

My hopes were dashed, however, when I was told that Stroud's Labour MP is a teetotaller, so I had to settle for an orange juice and a date slice in his surgery, which looks more like a smoking room.

I am further informed that our progress to the pub would almost certainly be hindered by constituents impatient for answers to all number of questions.

It is easy to see why David is pursued and hounded in the streets of Stroud - he is friendly, jolly and surprisingly unguarded for a politician.

As we discuss poverty in Africa and war in the Middle East, it is apparent that David's sole reason for entering politics 40 years ago was to help people, and it still is.

Since becoming MP for Stroud nearly 10 years ago, he has travelled to places racked by conflict and poverty, including Sudan, Brazil, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

"There are huge inequalities in Third World countries," he says.

"The worst part is that millions are dying from diseases that we could easily eradicate if we just put the money in and the drug companies came into line."

David, 54, who lives with his wife, Anne, and their four children in Quiet Ways, Stonehouse, explains that it is sometimes hard to experience the harsh reality of these places because it is shielded from visiting dignitaries.

"It is stage managed by governments - we see what they want us to see," he says.

"When I was in Ethiopia we were greeted by a convoy of 20 cars, and were told we would be going to this school and that hospital, all of them miles away, when we could be going to the ones up the road - of course we couldn't go on our own because of bandits.

"In Sudan we were travelling around the refugee camps, seeing babies dying from dehydration and starvation, being told these people were here through their own choice.

"Dreadful things are happening and we have stood back for too long because we think it doesn't concern us."

Having visited prisons, he refutes the widely held view that criminals live an easy ride.

"I have visited Leyhill prison in Wotton-under-Edge and it's very depressing," he said.

"The problems these prisoners have are extremely complex - there are mental health issues, drugs, alcohol or abuse are often involved."

When I ask David how he copes with the incessant criticism directed at his party, he answers in a round-about way, saying that in politics you cannot please everybody.

"The problem is that people feel disempowered," he said.

"We live in a culture of blame, they want retribution and this doesn't help anyone."

The final sentence David utters pretty much sums up my thoughts on him as a politician.

"There are some really nice individuals out there who do actually care, and this is largely overlooked."

I do, however, find that David has adopted many of the traits which are so typical of politicians, and which many people find annoying.

He is good at avoiding questions and tends to go off on a tangent, rambling for so long that on several occasions I forgot what my original question was.

He dutifully implies everything, but says nothing, and although he showed unwavering devotion to his party, I didn't quite believe it.

There was something about the way he averted his eyes, and the passion drained from his voice when we talked about the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan that betrayed his true feelings.

Fancy being an MP? The skills you need are ambition, drive and commitment. Strong political beliefs are obviously essential as is an interest in the needs of your community and a good knowledge of current affairs.

Self-confidence and excellent speaking skills are also essential.

An MP's salary is about £59,095.