tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1760780844429774049..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Peanuts, Monkeys & MPs' Pay RisesIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46887054378634938862010-03-06T19:34:24.427+00:002010-03-06T19:34:24.427+00:00No pay rise without efficiency savings!
This mea...<b>No pay rise without efficiency savings!</b> <br /><br />This means that the number of MPs must be cut. It should be 25% but Cameron's 10% is a good start. THEN I would agree that a pay rise would be appropriate. <br /><br />There are far too many MPs, most not performing anything worthwhile!Osama the Nazarenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627668308711758602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31252335480626160132010-03-06T15:55:09.154+00:002010-03-06T15:55:09.154+00:00The only way to get decent political representatio...The only way to get decent political representation is to not provide any compensation. No salary, per diems, expenses, or support staff.<br /><br />If it is a huge burden to be in politics, MPs will change over far more frequently. Politics will be a capstone to a career, rather than a career itself. It will also get rid of the useless, uneducated apparatchiks that form so much of the Labor benches.<br /><br />Beyond removing all compensation, MPs should each have to post a 5M pound deposit as insurance against any corruption and to encourage probity in government. These deposits should be forfeited for corruption and should only be returned for an honorable resignation or election loss. The deposit should accrue interest at a rate of [LIBOR as of election date - average LIBOR of term of office - average unemployment rate + average GDP growth rate - GDP growth rate as of election date - annual increase in taxation rate - growth rate in government spending]<br /><br />Public service should be EXCEPTIONALLY painful, require vast sacrifices, provide no possibility of advancement or future profit, and be available only to those who are already successful and competent. A minimum age of 50 might also be a useful idea.Heyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333291654356970407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-53505872908434973462010-03-06T13:42:51.369+00:002010-03-06T13:42:51.369+00:00There's no logic to the idea that paying more ...There's no logic to the idea that paying more attracts a better class of candidate. It holds true in business, becase the odds are that a candidate currently earning 50% less is not going to have sufficient experience or skills for the job, so another who's already earning more will get the job. Politics just doesn't work like that - witness that ridiculous Smith woman who in Norfolk who might be very nice and pliable but has absolutely zero real-world experience. Worth a package that already totals 100k+ per year? I doubt it. <br /><br />I think a suitable wage for MPs would be around twice the national median, though a grading that increases that amount with experience would increase the fairness (not wishing to pick on Miss Smith, but just compare the value she offers compared with someone like Douglas Hogg - moat or no moat).OBC Newshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05199336701581647524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56108468932254273482010-03-06T08:27:55.455+00:002010-03-06T08:27:55.455+00:00NAME THE MONKEYS.NAME THE MONKEYS.Lord Blaggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06783119146180259097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42956707295025906512010-03-05T22:03:24.343+00:002010-03-05T22:03:24.343+00:00I might agree with you if MPs did inded make our l...I might agree with you if MPs did inded make our laws, however since they have largely abrogated that responsibility to the EU, an MP deserves the salary of the average County Councillor.Arthur Denthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15880506004248132264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-90207619364601484542010-03-05T21:24:26.004+00:002010-03-05T21:24:26.004+00:00Don't know about monkeys, it does seem to attr...Don't know about monkeys, it does seem to attract far too many career politicians with little or no experience of the real world and few, if any, achievements to their name. In it for themselves, not for the country.<br /><br />On a free market view the salary is too high. There is real competition to become an MP.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01879760164934979224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16625711769800648802010-03-05T19:49:54.011+00:002010-03-05T19:49:54.011+00:00GM said...
"As I understand it, MPs are on £6...GM said...<br />"As I understand it, MPs are on £60,000 +. the avergae Deputy Head is on c.£50,700."<br /><br />And look at the hoops you have to jump through to become a teacher, never mind head of department!<br /><br />Meanwhile, most of the responsibilities of parliament have been subcontracted to Brussels, so why pay MPs at all?<br /><br />They certainly haven't been looking after my interests.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073019640077080501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11162461113043774942010-03-05T19:09:02.930+00:002010-03-05T19:09:02.930+00:00Remind me Iain, what qualifications & how many...Remind me Iain, what qualifications & how many years training must a person complete, to become an MP?<br /><br />FFS most can't even fiddle their expenses properly!Joe Publichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02584863023143282896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89927910720059317082010-03-05T18:18:58.094+00:002010-03-05T18:18:58.094+00:00Disagree. The dross at the moment seems to compris...Disagree. The dross at the moment seems to comprise professional politician types who have only ever worked as policy wonks, and the arrogant old timers whose sense of entitlement is matched only by their smug superiority.<br /><br />Paying more will simply attract more of these, particularly the former type.<br /><br />It is about how MPs are selected, not how much they're paid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52047519278798876332010-03-05T17:15:03.227+00:002010-03-05T17:15:03.227+00:00Hairshirts my hat.
Maybe there are good reasons f...Hairshirts my hat.<br /><br />Maybe there are good reasons for an MPs payrise, but the ridiculous pretense that £65k a year is somehow akin to poverty is not going to win the argument with the public.David L Rattiganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08524484021153263418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34042158090908778682010-03-05T17:09:25.174+00:002010-03-05T17:09:25.174+00:00There are tow separate issues:
1. You can either...There are tow separate issues:<br /><br />1. You can either take whatever the parties give you by way of candidates or you can change the electoral system. There is no third option as long as we vote for party rather than candidate.<br /><br />2. Having changed the system if you want to make politics a mid-career option for successful people then they will need to be able to pay their mortgages, which will be considerably higher than the national average. At least one member of my former branch agreed to stand in what we assumed was a hopeless seat only to find himself caught up in the 97 landslide. Cost him a fortune.<br /><br />Mind you given the abuse they get these days I question the sanity of anyone otherwise employable who still wants to do it.Jimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542633492362670045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54417115715864729142010-03-05T16:25:12.824+00:002010-03-05T16:25:12.824+00:00I agree that MP's should be allowed - encourag...I agree that MP's should be allowed - encouraged even - to have paid interests outside parliament thus keeping them grounded in reality. They would have to commit an agreed amount of time to parliament, above that good luck.<br /><br />We must avoid the development of the superior clique mentality that was at the bottom of the troughing activity.<br /><br />All PPC's should be asked by all the press to take a reduced salary for 2 years, if they accept they get it, if not . . .Charlie the Chumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16832064387374505668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30245943397611221012010-03-05T16:06:23.327+00:002010-03-05T16:06:23.327+00:00As the only entry qualifications for MPs are popul...As the only entry qualifications for MPs are popularity with party machines and not being a bankrupt, a lunatic and <br />a convicted criminal, why not pay MPs what they earned in their previous jobs? Thus they could not be accused of "doing it for the money". Salaries could be index-linked.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358349301959327747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80604677490780962362010-03-05T15:29:34.167+00:002010-03-05T15:29:34.167+00:00What happened to all that Thatcherite faith in mar...What happened to all that Thatcherite faith in market economics? We used to be told that if there is an over-supply in some commodity, the rate can drop without loss of quality.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83513403575919308252010-03-05T15:17:50.715+00:002010-03-05T15:17:50.715+00:00Well Iain you seem to believe that virtually the o...Well Iain you seem to believe that virtually the only thing which attracts people into politics is money. That is to ignore the many other attractions. Originally politics was a vocation - now it's a job.<br /><br />Do we really want career politicians? Or would we prefer to have those who see their duty as working for the electorate and the benefit of this country, despite relatively poor remuneration - like the military, as but one example? And let's not forget the extensive holidays, pension deals, payoffs etc. My local MP protests loudly that he is hard done by, but publishes a regular diary which records a very attractive lifestyle.<br /><br />And of course it might be salutary to compare their remuneration with, say, the clergy, care home workers, dustmen, etc ad infinitum.<br /><br />The real question is are these people good value for money? Perhaps some are, if so, who?<br /><br />Current public concern is less to do with ability - although God knows that's lacking - and more to do with decency, honour, and honesty. So what scale of salary would ensure probity, intellect, ability and ethical integrity? £100k? £300k? £2m?Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80809284712315343442010-03-05T14:23:10.720+00:002010-03-05T14:23:10.720+00:00The people talking about 'qualifications' ...The people talking about 'qualifications' to be an MP are simply talking out of their arses. Very few jobs require a specfic degree as there are for medicine. So, somebody who wants to be President of the United States needs to take a degree in 'President-ism'? What a bunch of hogwash which really demonstrates a huge amount of ignorance.Lady Finchleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03695379463537122656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5530156047812107762010-03-05T14:08:50.519+00:002010-03-05T14:08:50.519+00:00Personally, I would pay them a significantly highe...Personally, I would pay them a significantly higher salary plus a geographical allowance, that inceases the further the MP'S Constancy is from London.<br />But I would pay no expenses at all.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810788783886456639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6024009951277433992010-03-05T13:52:49.907+00:002010-03-05T13:52:49.907+00:00I will only add 1 point to what has already been s...I will only add 1 point to what has already been said.<br /><br />The customary justification by MPs for taking second jobs is that being an MP does not require full time dedication. That may be twaddle but those who use that excuse can hardly complain if their own words are used against them.norfolkandchancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04285686982180455825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43823144008112837592010-03-05T13:41:01.972+00:002010-03-05T13:41:01.972+00:00I agree we Ian's point, pay MP's on an app...I agree we Ian's point, pay MP's on an appropriate scale dependent upon the skills and experience they bring - including time served in the House previously - and on the work they actually do, debates attended AND conributions made, committee work etcCharlie the Chumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16832064387374505668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29010814251681486942010-03-05T13:37:53.227+00:002010-03-05T13:37:53.227+00:00Iain, remind me - what qualifications must a perso...Iain, remind me - what qualifications must a person achieve in order to become an MP? How many years studying, followed by gaining experience, must they do? Whats that? None?<br /><br />And there you have why the more money=better quality argument falls flat on its face.<br /><br />You'll still attract the same monkeys, only they'll just be on more money.<br /><br />The only way to improve the types of candidate would be to raise the criteria to become an MP.Eckersalldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683974531982922955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80940127635697367092010-03-05T13:24:39.335+00:002010-03-05T13:24:39.335+00:00"If you contract out these decisions to an in..."If you contract out these decisions to an independent body, you then have to accept the recommendation they make"<br /><br />Like when Labour refused to accept the pay awards for the Armed Forces made by the AFPRB in 1977, 78 and 79?<br /><br />Don't make me laugh.Scopeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09351586200241757578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32067535604305020152010-03-05T13:12:25.637+00:002010-03-05T13:12:25.637+00:00Wrong Iain.
Even before this rise MP's were i...Wrong Iain.<br /><br />Even before this rise MP's were in the top 2% of earners in the UK.<br /><br />It takes 7 hard years trainiing to become a doctor(that is if you can get a place, competition is cut throat), it takes 10-15 years for a top lawyer to become a Judge.<br />Docotrs by the way got a pay rise from £70K to £120K per annum for doing LESS work. (his should be remedied by the next government)<br /><br />What qualifications do you need to become an MP? What extensive experience of life, business, professional progression, even union activism?<br /><br />MP's are not comparable to these other professions, this is a red herring.<br /><br />What should happen? MP's should REDUCE their salaries by 5%. This is what will be required by all public servants to help solve the desperate crisis in which we find ourselves.<br /><br />If you can't see this you still haven't "got it".Charlie the Chumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16832064387374505668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-68273226376210018752010-03-05T13:12:25.638+00:002010-03-05T13:12:25.638+00:00They should be paid by results.
On this basis we w...They should be paid by results.<br />On this basis we would be due a refund from some of them including the Great Helmsman himself.Twighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16698620636313191152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89975358520070227822010-03-05T12:43:19.172+00:002010-03-05T12:43:19.172+00:00A lot of you are talking out of your ass about wha...A lot of you are talking out of your ass about what an MP does but I will leave that for now.<br /><br />What exercises me is that MP's staff do not get the same automatic increase and never have. It is entirely in the gift of MPs to give raises and a good many don't for years at a time.Lady Finchleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03695379463537122656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34227475828961715312010-03-05T12:37:53.291+00:002010-03-05T12:37:53.291+00:00Iain
there are plenty of people in all walks of ...Iain <br /><br />there are plenty of people in all walks of life deserving a pay rise at current time, but are actually relieved to still have a job.<br /><br />Whatever the merits of MPs pay, and I believe we should have about 200 less of them and pay the rest enough to officially put them in the 50% tax band (although the threshold like Cable's mansion tax would be raised like a shot) , the real issue is the appalling PR of a government sponsored quango announcing a pay rise. If you, or MPs, don't get this then we're never going to sort this appalling mess outMulliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12445624135697167219noreply@blogger.com