The last Straw

I note that defence of the MPs’ proposed pay rise, although limited, was mostly based around the idea that they did a hard job with long hours.

While I don’t have the facts to dispute this, such an argument would surely indicate that nurses, teachers and other valuable, hard-working public sector workers should expect a similar rise.

The argument put forward by Jack Straw MP was that MPs’ pay was deterring talented people of “modest backgrounds” from standing.

So, Mr Straw, someone from a “modest background” on the basic wage of £6.31 (approximately £12,000) would find a £64,000 salary, plus travel and accommodation allowance “deterring”.

Shame on Mr Straw for being out of touch with reality.

David Morris

Colinton Road

Edinburgh