Today’s vote on MPs’ pay and expenses is one in which I hope Gordon Brown gets his way. He’s already frozen the pay rises of his ministerial colleagues. And now he’s pushing for MPs to accept a 2.2 percent pay deal that’s in line with what the rest of the public sector is getting. Trouble is, many MPs are keener on a 4.4 percent rise, and will vote accordingly. Many are also unhappy about the necessary – if not quite sufficient – changes to the expenses system which are being proposed.
A victory for the 4.4-percenters and their greedy ilk would be disgraceful. After all the expenses scandals of recent months, the House needs to take drastic action to restore the public’s faith in politicians and – even – politics in general. A 2.2 percent pay deal may not be drastic enough, but it certainly creates a better impression than an inflation-busting 4.4
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