| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:MPs expenses | |
| Posted by: | Roland Gilmore | |
| Date/Time: | 15/05/09 10:48:00 |
| Frank Skinner certainly expresses a common sense attitude but I feel this issue is a diversion and pales into financial insignificance when compared to the money that some public servants are being paid and the pensions you & I are becoming liable for as a result. Our own Wandsworth Council refused to comply fully with a Freedom of Information Act request for details of executive pay however, the information they did release shows that a significant number of our council workers earn more than the Prime Minister and our MP. For example, the Director of Administration, G.Jones, was paid a salary of £186,415 before health benefits of £1,055 and performance related pay of up to 8.59% in 2007/2008. Is that something others see as fair and morally justified? There were twenty departmental directors, deputy/assistant heads and execs on £100K+ in Wandsworth Council. bhttp://www.taxpayersalliance.com/waste/2008/11/new-research-public-sector-rich-list-2008.html There may be nothing illegal here but is it morally justifiable that these people earn more than the PM or our MP? Particularly if broken down to an hourly rate, these appointed execs are grossing far more than the elected ones who arguably shoulder much greater responsibilities. If you really want to get angry about MPs expenses, have a look at the European Union. It has been quite well publicised recently that it is possible for an MEP to legally rake in £1M within just 2 years of taking office and a number of them have done so. If any institution is in need of urgent reform, transpancy and accountability, just look across to the gravy train of Brussels/Strasbourg. Personally, I can not bring myself to vote in the coming election for any party who, on the evidence, believe that support for our continued membership of this corrupt, immoral and self serving organisation is in our collective best interest. They have had decades to get it right but continue to fail to do so. |