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Wednesday, 4th November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

SNP anger at George Foulkes' call for rise in MP salaries

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Published Date: 15 April 2009
LOTHIANS Labour MSP George Foulkes has come under fire for calling for MPs to be given bigger salaries.
The SNP said his comments, in a column in today's Evening News, showed he was "out of touch".

Mr Foulkes - a former MP and now a peer - said MPs currently got paid half as much as a GP and less than the headmaster of a small school.

• Click here to read Mr Foulkes' comments in full

Lothians SNP MSP and former Wester Hailes GP Ian McKee said: "These comments are astonishing in these hard economic times.

"While many of his constituents in Lothian are facing the potential loss of their jobs in the financial, industry Lord Foulkes remarks are way out of touch."

In his column, Mr Foulkes said: "Democracy is beyond price. In order to get the right people to stand, they need to be properly paid so we can attract people from all backgrounds. The current level of pay will not do that. If we pay peanuts, it is not surprising that we end up with some monkeys."




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  • Last Updated: 15 April 2009 3:10 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scottish National Party
 
1

AndyfromPerth,

Derby 15/04/2009 15:30:38
What planet is Mr foulkes on? Headteachers of small schools work very hard and don't get second homes, subsidised food or the Porn Channel for that matter. GP's generally do a fair job of saving lives rather than ruining them like the Houses of Parliament seem to hell bent on.
Another member of the political gravy chain trying to get the hans on more of the taxpayers' cash. Not the Scottish Parliament is any better at using it wisely....
2

Foresight,

By the Water of Leith 15/04/2009 16:49:00
"democracy is beyond price" according to Foulkes, maybe so but the present political system in the UK is far from democratic. The vast majority of MPs are but "lobby fodder" for their parties and sychophantic nonentities. Taking into account the untaxed rewards from their noses in the trough of public funds it is hard to see how they are worth their present level of remuneration as they add little, if any, value to society for the payments they receive. Foulkes is truly an irrelevance to the political scene in Scotland.
3

Jack Macarup,

Alba 15/04/2009 16:57:58
This guy Foulkes really is helping the cause for Idependence from this stinking rotten union.
An over paid workshy drunk.
Who in their right mind would vote for such a dispicable wee pig at the trough?
4

Jack Macarup,

Alba 15/04/2009 17:00:19
The likes of Foulkes should be on the minimum wage, even that pittance is far too much for this waste of space.
5

me150,

15/04/2009 17:35:18
Just as well you lot have nothing to do with this.

It is about time we actually had a breakdown on what MPs get paid and what realistic expenses there are. I would say it is fair they get a higher salary as long as the information provided about their salaries is correct.
6

Rosscobhoy,

15/04/2009 17:52:09
Never trust a man who puts himself up for office. As for Foulkes, he should also remember that a lot of MP's also have second jobs that also pay them large sums of money. If they want the extra wage they should be tied to this income only. They should also be barred from working for companies they lobbied on behalf of too when they leave the public sector.
7

,

15/04/2009 18:20:39
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
8

Paddi,

15/04/2009 18:54:19
#5 Rather than just saying you think they should be paid more, give your reasoned argument.....
9

,

15/04/2009 19:04:50
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

Ian down under,

Musselburgh 15/04/2009 22:47:11
If Mr Foulkes wants MPs to be paid more than GPs perhaps we should insist that they spend 6 years full-time at university to get appropriate professional training [ not a degree in politics] then they should work 80 hours a week for 5 more years while doing postgraduate training as well.
Then they have their working hours increased and holidays reduced to those of a GP. Oh and they have to pay their own train and airline fares, no subsidised jaunts to exotic places.
Then they have to undergo annual re-accreditation and training updates.
At the moment to be an MP all you need is a loud voice, loud opinions and a degree of sycophancy [aka brown nosing] that to anyone else would be embarrassing. There are no minimum qualifications, no previous work record requirements and then when they get elected all they do is go to meetings and big dinners.
Get a grip and get a real job.
11

donald,

glasgow 16/04/2009 03:10:44
And what will Labour MPs be capable of when they are unemployed after the next election?
12

tumshie heid,

16/04/2009 10:59:22
foulke off you greedy talentless sponger.
13

Time to Show Courage,

17/04/2009 09:08:34
Unbelieveable! Keep it up Foulkes you're an asset to the SNP.

What a clown.
14

Mehe,

ed 17/04/2009 16:02:43
Lord, i'll say it again LORD Foulker wants more cash, the poor pet, times must be hard for his Lordship!

 

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