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MPs overpaid by £11,000 already according to the public

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  • ValHaller
    ValHaller Posts: 5,212 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's not the "low wage" that is preventing, say, a bus driver from becoming an MP.
    I don't think that the low wage is preventing the bus driver becoming an MP in the first place. It is the low wage which is encouraging the barrister to continue as a barrister.
    You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'
  • Rafter
    Rafter Posts: 3,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hard to see how being an MP is more stressful or onerous than the head teacher of a school - although I accept the argument that there isn't the same job security.

    My main gripe is those who have outside earnings but still receive payment for their 'full time job' as an MP.

    Personally, I think if you have any outside earnings (other from investments) that require you to devote less than 100% of your working time to your MP role, then that income should be deducted from your MP's salary.

    I also question, based on reports of prime ministers question time earlier this week, the poor representation by my own MP and the fact that getting elected an MP doesn't necessarily mean you have the qualifications to run the country means we need a different system.

    Maybe 1/2 the MPs should be constituency MPs with local responsibility and the balance drawn from a pool selected by their party (in proportion to number of votes received) who are both representative of the country and have the skills necessary to make (and challenge) new laws and run government departments.

    So experts on health, education, transport, defence, tax, international aid etc and not just a lot of lawyers and ex advisors with politics degrees?

    Just a thought.

    R.
    Smile :), it makes people wonder what you have been up to.
  • In real terms they dont just get £66K though do they. They get free travel, a second home paid for in London.( Even when they have one already down there, they rent it out and still claim for another). Subsidized meals.
    Being invited here there and everywhere and being schmoozed by big buisnesses. Doing after dinner talks etc and getting grands for it.
    Also they are offered things like directorships of huge companies which come with perks.
    In real terms what they get is a least double or even treble the actual paid salary. Plus once they have been a senior M.P a lot seem to sort themselves out working for The European Parliament,or The House of Lords. Both the ultimate gravy train.
    So basically there well sorted.
  • JimmyTheWig
    JimmyTheWig Posts: 12,199 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ValHaller wrote: »
    I don't think that the low wage is preventing the bus driver becoming an MP in the first place. It is the low wage which is encouraging the barrister to continue as a barrister.
    Do you think more ex-barristers as MPs would result in the diversification in the House of Commons that we need? Or do you think more ex-bus drivers would?
    Personally, I'd go for the ex-bus drivers.
  • Cycrow
    Cycrow Posts: 2,639 Forumite
    maybe if the wages were lower with less perks you will get more that actually want to be there rather than doing the job simply for money
  • ValHaller
    ValHaller Posts: 5,212 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Do you think more ex-barristers as MPs would result in the diversification in the House of Commons that we need? Or do you think more ex-bus drivers would?
    Personally, I'd go for the ex-bus drivers.
    I would go with the busdrivers. My point is not about diversification, it is about MP's moonlighting. That should be stopped.
    You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'
  • It's not the most pleasant role in the world but it is vital - therefore it should have a salary to match this.
  • princessdon
    princessdon Posts: 6,902 Forumite
    Are people at the tops of other professions, are people earning £100k a year, from diverse backgrounds?
    I don't think so. I think most of them were born to the same sorts of parents, educated in the same sort of schools, belonged to the same sort of clubs, etc.

    It's not the "low wage" that is preventing, say, a bus driver from becoming an MP.

    I think it depends on the sector - my OH earns approx £90k, pretty average for his field and like myself is from a working class background as are most work friends. I'd never get that salary in public sector unless top brass with private education etc.

    I do think MPS expenses should be what we can claim though, that is what I object to, not their salary
  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    What is all this stuff about getting the "right" people?
    The main qualification for the vast majority, is just getting accepted as a candidate by the local party. I would rather see someone with commitment to help rather than some pro politician who cannot do anything else.
    Double a bus drivers salary should get the "right" types in and discourage the chancers.
  • Hasty1991
    Hasty1991 Posts: 72 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I'll stick my neck out and say I'm in favour of the pay-rises provided it attracts better caliber candidates to the role.

    Obviously, this.

    It's quite maddening how 'the public' love to bash MPs' pay. We need talented individuals and it is silly to stagnate pay unnecessarily.
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