Parliamentary Salaries
Sir, This announcement has been timed with ironic accuracy—just after the refusal of a rise to the workers. Adding fuel to the flames puts its mildly. If we have “small thinkers” in Parliament, we have only ourselves to blame; we get the Government we deserve. When we realise that popularity and a passion for committees are ’ slender qualifications for governing the country, there may be progress. If the member of Parliament is the electorate writ large, anyone who listens in must feel dissatisfied. But I cannot agree with “West Wind” that raising the salary three times and reducing the number will give us progressive, intelligent, courageous members. I fear it will but attract the selfish rather than the publicspirited and produce nervous wrecks incapable of either governing or representing. Sweeping new rules for Parliamentary debate might produce results. Wiser selection of candidates and mature voting will do more.-—Yours, etc., MARY THORNE. July 9, 1968.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 16
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156Parliamentary Salaries Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 16
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