Will any MP fight back?
There I was standing in the queue at the Post Office on a Saturday. Doing my best to support the main branch, though given the queue and only three counter positions being manned I started to question why I bothered.
There in front on me were three ladies of a certain age. Oh well, OK, they had blue rinses and were bemoaning how long the queue was. I nodded in agreement when they looked at me.
They then started going on about MPs and how outrageous it was that they had an allowance for accommodation in London. They argued that they were only down there 3 days a week, plus of course they only do half a day or so as the Chamber is always empty.
I really regret it now, but I kept my opinions to myself (unusual for me) and didn’t say a word. However I really wish there were some MPs who were prepared to say something before the whole political system is brought into disrepute.
The first point. Most MPs are not in politics for the money. You do not become a rich man or woman by being an MP. I can earn more now, at my age than I could being a Member of Parliament. Does that mean I think they are under paid? No – there is high demand for the job, but at the same time I don’t want to see a political class being born which precludes people who are not independently wealthy.
The second point. Most MPs are not diddling the system. Yes there are clearly some bad apples. Aren’t there in every office? I remember a colleague in the same wider team as me getting caught committing a multi million pound fraud – and yes that was in the public sector. Funnily it didn’t get as much coverage as the issue of MP’s expenses.
The third point. People who work in politics, not just MPs are suddenly being seen as part of the problem by the public. I recently had a comment along the lines of – of you work down there with that lot. You must be on the gravy train. This from a woman working in the NHS who is retiring this week on a rather nice pension. Remind me what a final salary pension is? Oh that’s right – lots of the people who work in politics, be it for MPs are in other fields don’t get that privilege that millions of public sector workers do. I wish there was as much coverage of their pay arrangements!
The fourth point. Democracy costs money. If you want MPs to be in Westminster late at night they need somewhere to stay. If it’s Government owned flats fine. If it’s cheaper to have a hotel room fine! If MPs have new offices with a bedroom attached fine. I commute to London daily from the Midlands – as it’s possible. It isn’t for everyone. Sorry but given Parliament is where it is, you can even pay a much bigger salary that covers two homes, give an allowance for accommodation, or provide it as part of the job.
The fifth point. Not all MPs are equal. The largest constituency by electorate is the Isle of Wight. If Andrew Turner can manage to look after over 100,000 constituents, then why can’t all MPs? Surely there is a saving to be made there. And for those representing much less – then surely they don’t need to spend quite as much on staff? Lets not forget there are constituencies with around 30,000 constituents. You would think the number of constituents letters would be a third of that of the largest constituency. Why hasn’t anyone suggested that the staffing budget should also be very much smaller?
The sixth point. People think that when there is a “recess” MPs are on holiday. Not true. They think if an MP isn’t in the chamber they aren’t working. Not true. They think that they only do three days a week, and when not in Westminster thy are not working. Not true. Why aren’t any MPs telling people what they actually are doing. Why aren’t they explaining about all the work that goes on in committee. Why isn’t someone telling people that when there is a recess they are working in the constituency?
I could go on, but surely there are some MPs who have the guts to say, look, I am not cheating the system, I am working bloody hard, I have always put my country and my constituents first, and I think that on the whole you get value for money from me. And if anyone wants to judge me – let it be the electorate, and not the media who at the moment seem to be interested in denigrating politics.
Jonathan Sheppard
Filed under: Parliament | Tagged: MPs expenses, Parliament, politics, media
Do you really think that three blue rinse ladies in the Post Office queue represent the views of most people? OK, I know you were making a broader point about people’s understanding about the role of MPs.
The problem is that when MPs tell us how hard they work (and I’m sure they do) Joe Public just hears the stuff about the “John Lewis list” and paying their relatives tax payers’ money for not doing anything. Until they sort that out we will not have any faith in what they say.
Oh, and by the way, why do you get a link from Iain Dale when my blog is just as interesting, informative (check it out) and challenging as yours?
You are correct - I was making a point about people not understanding what an MP does. As for three ladies of a certain age in the Post Office being representative - they are probably representative of the group in society most likely to vote at the next election.
Why not ask Mr Dale why he doesn’t link to you? Just a thought.
There was a survey of Conservative ppc’s. 70% said on entering Parliament their salary would be less or the same. Since only 10% of taxpayers pay the higher rate it shows most of our candidates (I am a Conservative councillor) are wealthy-at least to the other 90% of us. That means most candidates will be very unrepresentative and will complain they could earn more outside Parliament. I’m afraid my reply to that is, “go and do it then.” The rest of us don’t have a choice.
Frank - That is a fair point. Let me tell you my position. I have just accepted a job that will pay a salary similar to that as an MP. I have done exactly what you suggest - Ive gone and done it. That is something Conservatives should welcome. I started my career after going a degree and Masters degree in the Mail room of Post Office countrers. As Tebbitt suggested - I went on my bike and went and got a job.
When you say however, the rest of us don’t have a choise - what do you mean? Everyone should have the chance to better themselves. I haven’t always earned a good salary. In fact having worked for myself for the last 18 months my monthly take home pay was less than that of my grandmother who relies solely on a state pension.
If we are anything in the Conservative party we should be for enterprise, and we should never forget that private businesses create jobs, not Government.
Wealth of course is relative. Income does not always equal disposable income does it.