I am a British citizen. I have lived in Britain for 30 years. I was educated in south London. I am a graduate of an eminent London medical school. In March 1995 I gained my membership of the Royal College of Physicians at the first attempt (“no mean feat” said one interviewer). I have been unemployed for the past 18 months.

I have applied for over a hundred jobs all over Britain–as a specialist medical registrar, as research registrar in the specialty that I have chosen to do, as a senior house officer in a related field with the hope of gaining a little more experience before going for the registrar job. I have not been shortlisted.

Sorry, that's a little white lie. I was asked by my referee to see a friend who “owed him a favour.” This was for a senior house officer post at my old medical school. This consultant was very nice, was impressed when he saw me, and advised me to apply for his job when it was next advertised. But it was …