Appeasing public opinion

[AtW]

Speaker John Bercow warns David Cameron on MPs' pay

John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, has warned David Cameron not to “appease” public opinion by blocking large rises in backbench MPs’ “ordinary” salaries.

Mr Bercow said that MPs “resent” moves by independently wealthy party leaders like the Prime Minister to prevent increases in their pay, currently £65,738. Trying to block rise would not be “terribly clever or brave”, he said.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is considering MPs’ pay. Submissions to its review by MPs suggest that members believe their salaries should rise by a third to more than £86,000.

The Speaker made the comments at a Westminster reception last week. The Daily Telegraph has seen a record of his remarks.

Mr Bercow said that Ipsa should be left alone to decide on any pay rise for MPs without “interference” from the Prime Minister and other party leaders.

In the past, he suggested, party leaders have tried to score political points by promising to give up pay rises or other benefits. "

Speaker John Bercow warns David Cameron on MPs' pay - Telegraph

So, £65k, no question asked expenses, no real responsibility, gold plated pension is not enough?

Maybe the simple rule should be - taxpayer pays salary that the MP had before they got elected in the field that they've become successful in life plus moderate expenses, that's it.

[darmstadt]

So, £65k, no question asked expenses, no real responsibility, gold plated pension is not enough?

Maybe the simple rule should be - taxpayer pays salary that the MP had before they got elected in the field that they've become successful in life plus moderate expenses, that's it.

You really think they give a flying monkey's dick about what the public thinks? A politician is now a job, people study to become politicians whereas before people became politicians to help the people therefore a politician expects to get a similar wage to a senior executive which is basically what they are now: executives in UK PLC. Theoretically an MP should get no salary, maybe just his expenses, but should be put up by the state for all his needs as he is elected to represent the populace.

If we were to take your above statement as real then I think you'll find that you'll be paying more than 65K a year for a lot of politicians. Perhaps instead they should get the 65K but then supplement it with performance related bonuses, i.e. how many times they attend the house, how many proposals/bills they put through, how effective they've been, etc.

[doodab]

If they weren't such a bunch of useless self serving ******* they could pay themselves whatever they liked. Do something useful you twats!

[MarillionFan]

£65k is a joke. £100k is probably a good starting salary.

[vetran]

£65k is a joke. £100k is probably a good starting salary.

£65K part time with subsidised office & researchers to shag isn't a bad screw.

[d000hg]

So, £65k, no question asked expenses, no real responsibility, gold plated pension is not enough?

AtW maybe you missed it, but there was a bit of a story quite recently where rather a lot of questions were asked about expenses.

And it says a lot that an entrepreneur considers £65k an aspirational salary.

You really think they give a flying monkey's dick about what the public thinks?

Of course they do, if only selfishly because it's pretty horrible being in a position where everyone hates you.

A politician is now a job, people study to become politicians whereas before people became politicians to help the people.

They still get into politics to change things (even if that idealism evaporates) but nowadays it's seen that studying politics is useful if you want to be in politics.

[Scoobos]

Lol, appeasing public opinion... Isn't following the majority public opinion the theoretical lynchpin of democracy?

Also, MPs are public sector workers, and are therefore subject to the public sector pay freeze.

Utter tossers.

[AtW]

And it says a lot that an entrepreneur considers £65k an aspirational salary.

£65k is 3 times the average UK salary, and most people don't get expenses paid. MPs tried to hide their expenses and it was only due to leak that people have learnt the kind of stuff they got paid, frankly not enough of them went to jail at the time for it.

[Robinho]

If they weren't such a bunch of useless self serving ******* they could pay themselves whatever they liked. Do something useful you twats!

This

[d000hg]

£65k is 3 times the average UK salary, and most people don't get expenses paid.

the average salary is for a clerk in the council answering calls about council tax. An MP should not be distracted about whether they can make their mortgage payment.