MP's Pay Options

[Simon Kirby]

The Beeb reports that MPs are to get a 9% pay rise, putting the starting salary at £74k - that's a little more than an army colonel, and a little less than an head teacher.

I already think that politicians are self-serving scum-bags so I'm not overly surprised they're getting such a whacking great bung - and the clever little soldiers didn't even have to vote for it, so that kind of makes it all fine and dandy.

Anywho, the problem appears to be that MP's pay is decided by looking at the pay of comparable workers - and someone decided that the comparable workers would all be well paid! I agree with the principle, but if MPs are supposed to represent us all, the obvious answer is to pay them the national average wage - that would make it a whole bunch easier for the poor loves to understand the kind of things that the average schmo is complaining about all the time. I think the average wags is around £24k.

Comparing and MP with an army colonel or a head teacher is and odd choice. You basic MP needs no particular qualification or aptitude to do their job in the commons, all they need is a conscience and some life experience, and it's part of the problem that many of our MPs have neither. A couple of years in the army or straight from university into political research teaches you nothing about the common schlob. In any event with the party whips telling you how to vote an MP with her own thoughts and ideas is a downright liability and would never pass party selection.

Some MPs get involved with their constituents' problems and that takes some skill and ability, but we're not talking about commanding an infantry brigade or anything like that, you just need a little sense and compassion - so how about paying what a CofE vicar gets - that's also around £24k.

That's not going to exclude the low-paid from becoming an MP because it'll pay better than that, and it's not going to exclude the rich because they're already rich and they don't need the money anyway.