Quintin Jardine's blog

A pay rise for MPs  of £6,000, taking their salaries up to £74,000,  been recommended by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. We can expect howls of protest. Here’s mine. I don’t believe it’s nearly enough.

The Parliamentary expenses scandal  owed much of its origin to evolution of a system which was created to ensure that no person of ability was prevented from becoming a Member  simply because they couldn’t afford it. There’s nothing wrong with that in principle, but if the needs of the job are recognised, surely  it is logical that they should be met through the basic salary. I’d rather see Members’ salaries doubled, and the expenses system abolished for everything except travel, with defined personal costs being chargeable against tax.