Is democracy stuffed ?

MPs are in line for a dramatic pay rise of up to £20,000 in a move that could spark public fury.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has been looking at an increase of between £10,000 and £20,000 - although the lower figure is considered more likely.

The hike would be partly offset by curbs to their gold-plated pensions and personal expenses.

Ipsa took responsibility for MPs' salaries and pensions two years ago, and has been carrying out a fundamental review.

A survey released by the watchdog in January found politicians on average believed they should be paid £86,000 rather than £66,000, with some demanding more than £100,000.

Speaker John Bercow is among those who have been pushing for better remuneration, warning that the Commons must attract people from all backgrounds.

Ipsa is due to deliver its initial proposals for consultation next month, although the main changes will not come into effect until after the general election in 2015.

However, any significant rise is certain to be controversial as the economy continues to struggle and the rest of the public sector is subject to tight pay restraint.

Officials are concerned that David Cameron and other party leaders may find it difficult to back such an increase.

Last month ministers acted to reduce the government element of their pay so they did not benefit from a 1% increase granted to MPs.
...
.

Well let's see how the public like paying those losers an extra 10k or 20k for their usual poor performance. Some of them should be in jail imho for wrecking this country's finances.
 
MPs are in line for a dramatic pay rise of up to £20,000 in a move that could spark public fury.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has been looking at an increase of between £10,000 and £20,000 - although the lower figure is considered more likely.

The hike would be partly offset by curbs to their gold-plated pensions and personal expenses.

Ipsa took responsibility for MPs' salaries and pensions two years ago, and has been carrying out a fundamental review.

A survey released by the watchdog in January found politicians on average believed they should be paid £86,000 rather than £66,000, with some demanding more than £100,000.

Speaker John Bercow is among those who have been pushing for better remuneration, warning that the Commons must attract people from all backgrounds.

Ipsa is due to deliver its initial proposals for consultation next month, although the main changes will not come into effect until after the general election in 2015.

However, any significant rise is certain to be controversial as the economy continues to struggle and the rest of the public sector is subject to tight pay restraint.

Officials are concerned that David Cameron and other party leaders may find it difficult to back such an increase.

Last month ministers acted to reduce the government element of their pay so they did not benefit from a 1% increase granted to MPs.
...
.

Well let's see how the public like paying those losers an extra 10k or 20k for their usual poor performance. Some of them should be in jail imho for wrecking this country's finances.

You are right. They are an absolute waste of space, both here and there!

The problem, as I see it, is what do we have in their stead?

The Queen is an angel, in comparison. but only because she is not in charge. :)
 
The problem, as I see it, is what do we have in their stead?

:)

The answer may lie in China, seeing as how they have done extraordinarily well the last 30 years.
Maybe a 1 party state with the Queen on the top ?
 
The answer may lie in China, seeing as how they have done extraordinarily well the last 30 years.
Maybe a 1 party state with the Queen on the top ?

Wasn't that what we had in the 80s with our Margaret?
 
Wasn't that what we had in the 80s with our Margaret?

A pity Her Maj doesn't write a candid memoir of the PMs she has had to work with.
A great civilizing effect on Maggie too I expect.
 
A pity Her Maj doesn't write a candid memoir of the PMs she has had to work with.
A great civilizing effect on Maggie too I expect.

Her Maj does not work with people. People work for her and Maggie sounds like someone who might get in to do some mopping.
 
Her Maj does not work with people. People work for her and Maggie sounds like someone who might get in to do some mopping.

As someone said " the wise ruler is the first servant of his/her people "
 
Congress ( sort of democratically elected ) is going to have to make the decision of whether or not the USA will bomb Syria this week.

Should be interesting to see who votes yes/no and even more interesting why. Inducements for votes is standard practice in US politics. The defense industry will be pushing for their corner of yes. The Jewish lobby will gleefully want a big yes to knock out Syria in that ME region. The rest of the world call it bribery and intimidation.
 
Congress ( sort of democratically elected ) is going to have to make the decision of whether or not the USA will bomb Syria this week.

It's my understanding that the president alone could make that decision - constitutionally he doesn't need congress to vote nor to accept the outcome of that vote. Be interesting to see which way it and he goes.

As an aside, it is the first time since 1782 the British government has failed to win support for a military operation. That time was at the end of the American war of Independence -which was technically a world war as it was UK against US, France, Netherlands and Spain.
 
Top