Analysis: Let's have a balanced debate on MPs' pay

THE revelation that MPs’ pay will rise by more than public sector wages has provoked predictable howls of outrage.

And after years of pay restraint in both the public and private sector it is understandable that many will find it unpalatable that our elected representatives are enjoying another wage rise.

But this debate needs to be broader.

At the moment, the public berates MPs when they see an empty Commons chamber but also expects them to deal with ever growing mountains of correspondence on matters ranging from Middle East peace to streetlighting. We want our MPs to respond to issues quickly but not employ staff to help them to do so. We accuse them of being out of touch with their constituents but criticise money spent on communications. We want them to be full-time professionals but do the job for the honour of it all.

Essentially today’s crop of MPs are still being held accountable for the mistakes made in the expenses scandal.

But that was seven years and two elections ago.

It is time for a more comprehensive look at MPs’ pay and conditions, and that starts with clearer expectations of what we want from our men and women in Westminster.