Discussion Thread: Define MPs’ pay, expenses and conditions through public consultation

This is an archived discussion thread for the "Define MPs' pay, expenses and conditions through public consultation" voting page. Voting, and this discussion thread, have now closed.

liviaoldland 1 month ago

2 people liked this.
The public should have the final say on how much a Member of Parliament is paid. Our MPs must understand their duty to work on our behalf; after all they describe themselves as ‘public servants'. 

The public frustration and disillusionment with the current system could be healed if the public had ultimate say on how much their MPs are paid. It would also dissuade those politicians who have been seduced by the allure of money and power, rather than the responsibility and privilege standing as a MP demands. 
The current system which is open to abuse has turned many against mainstream politics. When the Telegraph broke the MPs' expenses scandal, the whole country was in uproar. It's been over six months and the Government has offered no solution that would be acceptable to the electorate. 

Political parties have a vested interest in keeping the status quo as there main concern is staying in power. Independents are the only option to change the way Parliament works for the better and fully empower the public.

stuartdwells 1 month ago

2 people liked this.
NO. All that would happen is that 'the public' would say no to any payment of any description to MPs meaning that only independently wealthy people - mainly Conservatives - would be able to afford to become MPs.

TREGRAHOW 1 month ago in reply to stuartdwells

2 people liked this.
Yet again we are led to believe only Tories are wealthy. There are many senior Labour figures who are seriously rich - some having become so only after becoming politicians. Its classic class warfare - slag someone off and deem them unfit for office simply because they are wealthy. Does wealth render Cameron unfit for office? No. His lack of genuine work experience and his smarmy PR persona may well do but his wealth certainly doesn't.

Even "class warriors" such as Prescott ended up with a property worth far more than his salary could buy and the Kinnocks have untold wealth from our wallets. Lowly roots don't guarantee integrity and honesty. And where does Viscount Stansgate figure in your war on the wealthy?

bill_gedim 1 month ago

1 person liked this.
I agree that MPs should not be left decide their own salaries, but we do need to be sure they are paid enough! I doubt "the people" will in fact agree to that. In the past not even MPs have done it, I think.

MPs should be guaranteed an income sufficient to enable them to live in comfort, and to concentrate on the job, free of financial worries and distractions. Part of the reason for recent problems is claimed by some to be that their salaries have been depressed on the understanding that they can make it up on expenses. So give them a proper income. But note that not all of them treat it as a full-time job. And note also that many of them have substantial income from other sources. So perhaps, rather than paying them salaries, we should give them appropriate tax credits to ensure that their income is raised to a suitable level and to pay them nothing at all if it is already above that level. 

And something similar might apply to any pension paid to ex-MPs.

Jan 2 weeks ago in reply to bill_gedim
I clicked like on this comment to say I like,unfortunately it did not register. This is a very good idea

oldman 247 2 weeks ago in reply to bill_gedim
so you think that an mp,s pay of over a thousand pound,s a week is not enough to live on? also their other job,s that they earn thousands of pounds ,yet they all steal every penny they can get their hands on makes it okay?

evewilson 1 month ago

1 person liked this.
The arrogance of the political parties of all colours is astounding: they all act as if they are there by right not by a democratic vote. Although many start off uncorrupted they quickly seem to behave in reprehensible ways. There should be a main salary structure with clearly defined benefits. Any found flouting the rules should be immediately ousted ewith no recompense - none of this rubbish of a year's golden handshake. We have been very badly served and we should all be screaming at the tops of our voices!

william ian 1 month ago

2 people liked this.
so some of you seem to think that they cannot live on their basic pay which roughly amounts to one thousand and twohundred and fifty pounds a week perhaps they should try living on a pensioners amount and see what it is like living in the real world!

alfredgbrimming 2 weeks ago

1 person liked this.
MPs should only be paid for time spent on time working in the House of Commons or Working for those they represent in the house no expences at all should be paid what so ever, the House of Lords can be done away with to save money as well they are not needed. But MPs must be seen to work in the House or for the House 12 Hours a day 6 days a Week. Now lets see how many siting members wish to stay on as members,and how many would be canditates will stay canditates not to many I feel as most are just in it for the cash they can get out of it. Me if I was a MP I would work till I drop for those that voted me in , that is the way it should be. Local Councillors should not be paid one penney at all not even expences they should do it for the honor for the City or town they llive in.