The news that MPs are even thinking about an 11 per cent pay increase has brought howls of rage and indignation from most of the electorate. Their anger is misplaced.
 

Most Members of Parliament (particularly from Cumbria) work long and unsocial hours far from home. Their salaries have been artificially constrained for years by an ill-informed and hostile public opinion - and, of course, a desire to do nothing to discourage their re-election.
 

This has given a clear advantage to existing and aspiring politicians who are independently wealthy, sometimes extravagantly so, while correspondingly excluding those - particularly female - candidates who may be capable and idealistic, but without material resources.
 

Instead of getting angry about salaries and expenses, we should demand that the minute an MP enters Parliament, he and his dependents will have access only to state provision of education and health - and possibly the law.

This would ensure that only those with a genuine vocation for public service would enter politics.

And there might be a dramatic improvement in our schools and hospitals.

 

 

Bill Angus

Kendal