I was reading some of the fuss from Alan Duncans statement that MP’s are on rations. It isn’t clear if he’s speaking for himself or for MP’s in general.
The economy is a mess and over 2 million are out of work including a lot of youngsters, also MP’s have mis-used their expenses. You might also think an MP would have a mission and salary might only be an issue if you could earn massively more. Also the pension and expenses are generous but the job can be consuming and precarious.
So what should an MP earn?
Someone who earns 50 to 65,000 a year is probably titled something like ‘Head of ….’, just below director. Better than most but not top dog. So you could say the salary and pension isn’t bad for an ordinary MP without any special responsibilities many of who probably wouldn’t reach that level. Although attracting top calibre people might be a problem without the mission factor and I’m not aware of any grading or fast tracking.
So without going into much depth or even understanding it too much I’d conclude that the salary package is reasonable for most MP’s but needs to have recognition for performance in both government and opposition. Some kind of grading.
Alan Duncan is a very visible MP, and maybe that doesn’t make him any better than someone who is great for their constituents, but we are pleased when our MP’s excel on the national level. So his personal case is good, just badly timed, and he should be forgiven. Probably that wouldn’t be so for about 500 MP’s out of the 645. Maybe more.
Considering the MP’s in the areas around Preston: Mark Hendrick, David Borrow, Michael Jack, Ben Wallace, Nigel Evans, Rosie Cooper. I wouldn’t say much for or against them but they tend to being worker bees for who the remuneration package is probably fair. Mark Hendrick has got a special role which might give him a bit more. Nigel Evans raises his head from time to time but can’t say I hear much of the others even though one of them is my MP.
As a postscript. It wasn’t apparant on national news but Nigel Evans MP for Ribble Valley was on the secretly taken video and in the Lancashire Evening Post is reported saying he can’t manage on his salary or words to that effect. He is also reported as saying it was a joke. My own opinion is that it sounds so ridiculous that I’d agree it was a joke although I can understand people doubting it based on other remarks MP’s have made. However like Alan Duncan, Nigel Evans is a visible MP and seems well meaning so I’d give him the benefit of any doubt.
So Alan Duncan got the push in September for his comments. He’ll probably be back, can’t keep a good man down. Although seems MP’s are in denial a bit like the bankers. Would any of these say Bob Crow is wrong going for the most he can get by whatever means.