MP's salaries? Let the public decide - on the ballot slip
The argument over MPs and their salaries in terms of what they deserve to be paid could be put to rest at the next general election. Why can't we put a little poll on the ballot sheet asking what the voter thinks their MP's salary and all MP's salaries should be? A multiple choice ticky box thingymajig. Wouldn't cost much at all I would have thought. At least it should be put on the votes that get counted by computer, i.e. postal votes.
This would then give everyone a good idea of the worth of an MP. (Note to one's self: idea for future post. It would be interesting to find out how many MPs would have the qualifications and experience to demand a similar salary to their current one in the private sector.)
Here's my idea of how it should appear:
WHAT SHOULD THE SALARY OF AN MP BE?
A) NOTHING, THEY ALL LOVE POLITICS AND ARE IN IT TO HELP PEOPLE - AREN'T THEY?
B) MINIMUM WAGE, OR AT LEAST THE LABOUR PARTY SHOULD BE. THEY ALL BANG ON ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS AND MAYBE DESERVE TO EXPERIENCE IT.
C) £30,000 - £39,999
D) £40,000 - £49,999
E) £50,000 - £59,999
F) £60,000 - £69,999
G) £70,000+
This would then give everyone a good idea of the worth of an MP. (Note to one's self: idea for future post. It would be interesting to find out how many MPs would have the qualifications and experience to demand a similar salary to their current one in the private sector.)
Here's my idea of how it should appear:
WHAT SHOULD THE SALARY OF AN MP BE?
A) NOTHING, THEY ALL LOVE POLITICS AND ARE IN IT TO HELP PEOPLE - AREN'T THEY?
B) MINIMUM WAGE, OR AT LEAST THE LABOUR PARTY SHOULD BE. THEY ALL BANG ON ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS AND MAYBE DESERVE TO EXPERIENCE IT.
C) £30,000 - £39,999
D) £40,000 - £49,999
E) £50,000 - £59,999
F) £60,000 - £69,999
G) £70,000+
Personally I think about the 70 grand mark is about right. I went through the process of applying to the Conservatives to get on their candidates list this year - you do stop and think when you have a mortgage to pay! The maths at the time was that 70k would have been a chunky drop in pay for me. That said, I hated what I was doing, recognised that being an MP is an honour, and recognise that 70k is more then most of the country earn and enough to live a comfortable if not flash lifestyle. Yes - you can earn more in the private sector - far more. But most 'big' jobs that pay more in the private sector are pretty thankless - all you get for your pound of flesh is the financial rewards - not the priceless sense of 'putting something back'.
ReplyDeleteAny less though and financially it would have been hard to justify going for it. I would simply peg it to the pay of GPs and give extra allowances for committee membership etc.
(got on the candidates list - but didn't find a seat and doubt I will before the GE)
They witter on about not being paid as much as MPs in Europe (including non-EU), well here's a thought. Our workers are paid less than equivalent workers in Europe, the taxes that hit lower paid workers are far higher than Europe and our cost of living is higher. We constantly waste money trying to follow up on "good ideas" by doing them "on the cheap" and, consequently balls it up.
ReplyDeleteLet them finally sort those issues (for a start), and we'll consider their pay.
Guythemac, linking it to GP pay sounds like a winner to me.
ReplyDelete