Conservative Assembly Members are joining Labour and the LibDems in backing the recommendations of an independent commission set up to assess their levels of pay. Instead of going for the 1.9% increase that MPs are getting, they will get an inflation-busting increase of almost £4,000 (8.3% compared to 2.2% CPI). David Cameron was against an above-inflation rise in MPs' pay.
The Assembly Commission's Chairman, Oxford lecturer Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth, said that the pay rise reflected an increase of responsibilities resulting from increased legislative power in Cardiff, but Plaid Cymru is largely opposing it. Conservative group leader Nick Bourne called PC's position "the worst kind of political opportunism" and said "the people of Wales will see through this posturing".
If true this is a disgrace! Shame on Nick Bourne and all Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat AMs.
Posted by: Richard | March 07, 2008 at 16:08
You can't win with salaries can you? Leave it for MPs/AMs to set and you get low increases and the use of expenses to make up the difference. Refer it to an independent commission and you get condemned for merely accepting their recommendations.
Posted by: Tim Roll-Pickering | March 07, 2008 at 16:11
And they wonder why politicians are held in such low repute. I suspect PC will take some benefit and Nick Bourne's hollow words will fall on deaf ears.
Posted by: Malcolm Dunn | March 07, 2008 at 16:11
It sends a terrible message when inflation is on the increase in the UK as a whole, yet private sector wage inflation is holding steady at 3.5%. What the AMs lack is both political nous and human sensitivity. Do we really get value from this Assembly at all?
I would love to see an annual report from Mr Bourne and co. so that we, the taxpayers, can evaluate what they have actually achieved.
Posted by: John Scott | March 07, 2008 at 16:37
I'm not sure I agree there is increased responsibility.
Fig leaf?
Posted by: John Broughton | March 07, 2008 at 16:48
Have these people no shame!
Snouts in the trough!
For the first time in 40 years I will not be voting Conservative.
I've had enough!
Posted by: Donald Holland | March 07, 2008 at 16:59
Well it may be that Plaid are indulging in the worst kind of political opportunism however Bourne & Co are indulging in the worst kind of pocket lining personal opportunism and that is far far worse in most people's book.
Posted by: Mr Angry | March 07, 2008 at 17:05
Well it may be that Plaid are indulging in the worst kind of political opportunism however Bourne & Co are indulging in the worst kind of pocket lining personal opportunism and that is far far worse in most people's book.
Posted by: Mr Angry | March 07, 2008 at 17:05
"The Assembly Commission's Chairman, Oxford lecturer Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth, said that the pay rise reflected an increase of responsibilities resulting from increased legislative power in Cardiff"
I presume this is a guide to all political pay deals, and in light of the Westminster MP's voting through the Lisbon treaty and resulting reduced legislative role, will we be seeing a pay cut voted through at Westminster, or is it more likely hell would freeze over before they would accept that?
Posted by: Iain | March 07, 2008 at 17:49
Oink!Oink!
As we learnt from the demonstration at Westminster this week,pig feed has increased in price.
Posted by: michael mcgough | March 07, 2008 at 18:22
"The Assembly Commission's Chairman, Oxford lecturer Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth, said that the pay rise reflected an increase of responsibilities resulting from increased legislative power in Cardiff"
Ergo, the more power you accrue to the legislature, the more you get paid. Public choice theory in practice.
Posted by: Iain Murray | March 07, 2008 at 18:49
It's simply appalling, a devolved country relying on an "independent commission"! Well, who appointed this commission, or any other "independent body"? That would be the government, nobody else has the authority, and just how independent is a government appointed body? I suggest a "commission of state pensioners and armed forces personel" probably the two most deprived groups in the country would be independent enough!! Roll on the revolution.
Posted by: AlanofEngland | March 07, 2008 at 20:30