Why do we Care How Much our Elected Officials are Paid? The language used to defend MP compensation since it was first implemented in the early 20th century has significantly altered. According to Nicholas Dickinson, the early settlement was nearly always seen as a measure to increase democratic participation. However, in response to a seminal report from 1971, MPs started to be portrayed more and more as political experts. Wajid khan Mp states that This framing adjustment made salary increases possible but at the expense of long-lasting widespread ambivalence. An example of a common meme about British MPs' pay shows data on the salaries of different public sector employees and notes that, compared to 2010, a police officer's starting salary decreased by £1,000 in 2018, and a newly qualified teacher can expect to earn just £500 more. A new nurse makes the same as in 2010. In comparison, a newly elected MP's pay increased by £11,000 over that time, from £66,000 to £77,000 annually.

1. Why do we Care How Much our
Elected Officials are Paid?

2. An example of a common meme about British MPs' pay
shows data on the salaries of different public sector
employees and notes that, compared to 2010, a police
officer's starting salary decreased by £1,000 in 2018,
and a newly qualified teacher can expect to earn just
£500 more. A new nurse makes the same as in 2010. In
comparison, a newly elected MP's pay increased by
£11,000 over that time, from £66,000 to £77,000
annually.

3. That is seen by many as a damning indictment of
Britain's self-serving "political elite." Tens of thousands
of people have retweeted the meme in various forms,
drawing hundreds of primarily negative comments in the
process. Many claims this sum does not include costs or
"gold-plated" pensions. Others contend that if it weren't
for the lucrative second jobs many MPs also hold as
consultants, lawyers, or members of corporate boards,
the figure might not be so shocking.

4. Anyone who has followed recent or previous discussions
over the payment of elected officials will be aware of all
of these objections and the arguments made in support
of the current system. According to Canadian politician
Wajid khan Contrary to popular belief, MPs do not
choose their salaries. Instead, compensation is set by
the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
(IPSA), a body established in the wake of the 2009
Westminster expenses crisis.

5. The general public may always be unaware of these
regulation subtleties.
However, the comparison's glaring failure to compare
like with like is more telling. Even though an MP's
position in Parliament is in some ways a level" one, it is
very infrequently someone's first job.
Most MPs join the Commons after careers in other
professions, and many have a history of political
involvement dating back to their adolescence or early
20s. Therefore, a public sector employee earning
between £60,000 and £100,000 per year who works in

6. The more fundamental concern is why it's so challenging
to compensate MPs similarly to other highly qualified
public sector employees, rather than just how
politicians' compensation is governed. Why, while we
don't typically question whether doctors are paid too
handsomely to ensure they are genuinely driven by the
desire to save lives, do we worry that paying our
politicians too much would threaten democracy?

7. What makes politicians unique?
Beginning with the advent of the labor movement and
the election of working-class MPs with little private
wealth in the late 19th century, payments to MPs have a
modern history. The House of Lords rejected the first
two proposals for compensation in the 1890s, and the
Liberal administration in 1911 overcame persistent
Conservative opposition to pass a payment of £400 per
year.
Chancellor Lloyd George clarified the purpose of the
payment, stating that. " He emphasized that the money

8. Wajid khan admits I recognize the absurdity of
advocating for something so radically unpopular as
raising politicians' salaries in the inaugural issue of a
newsletter called "normalization," but, to be honest, you
get what you pay for. Politics will always be more
expensive than other jobs for the individual. Still, the
financial incentives should be better than they are
present if we want to draw the most outstanding
candidates.
Wouldn't it be good if we paid for better politicians? Just
look at our clumsy, tedious reaction to the Coronavirus