Has Brown done the right thing over pay?
Peter Hoskin 2:04pm
George Osborne's referred to it as a "gesture" - which is almost certainly true. But at least the announcement that ministers will give up their pay rise this year is the right kind of gesture. As Brown said earlier, "MPs should set the example at a time of public sector pay restraint." Now all he's got to do is convince the rest of the House of this before the 3rd July vote on salaries.
But, obviously, there's a toxic background to all of this. After all the disgraceful expense scandals of recent months, will the public really believe that ministers aren't riding on the gravy train?
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David C
June 17th, 2008 2:44pm Report this commentThis is the PM frightened of the punishment that the electorate will deliver.
Any pay award forgone by MPs matters little because McBean is not changing any policies.
There is absolutely nothing that Brown could say or do that would make him anymore trusted by the voters.
If he acts, it is to make himself feel better.
He is irrelevant.
salieri
June 17th, 2008 3:05pm Report this commentThe Cabinet may have been pliable, and it is a good gesture, but to many in the House it will smack too much of McBean's hair-shirt ethos. And what of the Speaker, dare one ask?
C Powell
June 17th, 2008 3:33pm Report this commentNever mind pay: it's the allowances which matter. That's where the abuses have been occurring. Will Balls/Cooper stop claiming double allowances for the same house, for instance? Will every Cabinet minister publish all their expenses plus receipts? If they're not straight about those then it matters little what they agree to on pay. They're still raking it in at our expense.
Verity
June 17th, 2008 4:01pm Report this comment"As Brown said earlier, "MPs should set the example at a time of public sector pay restraint."
Let's get over the idea that MPs are an elevated group qualified by reputation or deeds to "set an example" to anyone under any circumstances.
mitch
June 17th, 2008 6:27pm Report this commentIm sure they will get it back through expenses.
Anan
June 17th, 2008 8:59pm Report this commentIt's quite obvious they will take 10 times more in next year's pay rise. Osbourne should have called it what it really is - a complete farce.
Paul Hughes
June 17th, 2008 9:33pm Report this commentI'm certain the victims of the 10p tax scandal will cry into their pillows at the thought of these self-denying ministers on their hundred grand salaries.
It is the right kind of gesture. The problem is that fewer people would need to see such a gesture if GB hadn't screwed the public finances.
emma2000
June 17th, 2008 10:34pm Report this commentCan someone tell me what MPs actually pay for themselves? we seem to pay for their houses, utilities, council tax, travel costs, fares or petrol to say nothing of furniture, household goods, new kitchens, bathrooms, gardens, even food. Their salary is just pocket money as far as I can see and comes with a platinum pension no one else has. So doesn't matter what Mr. Brown says, never in my, fairly long, life have I known a PM so hated and despised, con man as he was I preferred Blair.
DW
June 18th, 2008 10:02am Report this commentDidn't he also say that MPs would stop voting for their own pay rises and abide by what was recommended? I am sure the police will be watching with interest. One law for one, one law for another...
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