The MP expenses 'system' has been uppermost in the news and of course the main topic of the blogosphere and for that I'm grateful, because I missed some of the detail and now I'm better informed.
Here's a thought. MPs are elected for a period up to 5 years and we're told to acquire 'quality' people then we must pay the current rate of £63,000+. Into what other job does someone, without even one qualification necessary, just jump to the maximum salary? There's no other 'profession' which would accept this lax attitude.
Not so many people in the UK or Scotland have the assurance that they will be in the same job for 5 years and they don't have the safety net of unbelievable pensions. I've yet to find out what the pension schedule is for MPs as it's not immediately available online.
Why shouldn't Westminster introduce a sliding scale of salaries for MPs similar to what is used in other public services? The military have had their salary scales online for some time now and you can read officers pay scales here. I do hope some of you are surprised by the salaries of our top military in comparison with our MPs who whine they're doing the most responsible job in Britain and don't forget the military get very few 'perks' or expenses unless they are signed off by at least several more senior personnel.
Perhaps if a 'new' MP started on say £35,000 then moved up in annual increments of £7,000 to the present salary then we may see a more publicly acceptable system. By the time their 5 years were up they would be on the present salary but only if they had been classed worthy by their constituents. Let's call it an incentive for them to do their best for their electorate.
Plus of course they should all only be able to claim second class travel. According to the MOD and Westminster rules all military have to travel second class regardless if they're flying to serious international conferences or just between, for example, Ireland and London.
This is just a thought of course, who am I to say we'd get a better type of politician?
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6 comments:
SR,
I resemble this remark!
Crazy D moooooooo!
The existential reply to the metaphysical question. Indeed, why not.
Well said - and more power to your blogging elbow.
CD you're on a graded salary structure, why not MPs? Then again ...
While I was writing that scunnert I thought it was a good idea. I still think so. But do I think the MPs would agree? No.
Thank you clochoderic, most kind of you.
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