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What do you think of Politicians

There was a time when we respected our Leaders but not any more!!! Cameron was never a Leader, or cared about the people......yet who is there among Political Parties who will Govern with Honesty and a genuine intent to help the people? America also is in Political turmoil and all the while ISIS is making inroads , scary eh???


Created By on 07/08/2016

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anf1408
7th Aug 2016 18:16:40
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Unfortunately things are unlikely change under the current system. I'll put my tin hat on before I write this but I think the way to improve the standard of politicians is to pay them more. The majority of people attracted to government come from a more priveleged background where money is not a problem. Talented individuals who do not form part of the elite are far more likely to follow a more secure, better paid career. The prime minister of the country is paid about £150000 per annum. I know its alot of money but a senior position in a large company would pay considerably more. If pay was higher we would be more likely to attract people from all walks of life into politics rather than just those who can afford to take the risk. However, if pay were increased there should be conditions attached. All MPs should have had a job in "the real world" before becoming seeking election and no MP should be allowed to have any additional paid work. This would remove the MPs who have no experience of anything other than politics and would also avoid any conflict of interests.

In America the situation is even worse. You cannot even run for president unless you're a multi-millionaire, like Trump, or have friends in high places, like Clinton. No wonder they end up with such a terrible choice.
Response from Capricorn Original Poster made on 8th Aug 2016 09:09:13
Good Morning anf1408,

Sorry, but I have to disagree....as a Company and Trust Administrator in a Bank in Jersey I noticed many rich people and famous people using off shore Companies to avoid U.K. tax.
Politicians do not work very hard , although I suspect there are some who do care about their
constituents and go the extra mile, maybe set a higher rise for the low paid. Senior Politicians fare very well, especially if based in Brussels and when we witness so many redundancies now I think there are more workers who deserve to earn more money.
Response from anf1408 made on 8th Aug 2016 12:16:39
Hi Capricorn,

I appreciate your point, particularly in relation to politicians in Brussels. It has been noted that Neil Kinnock (a politician rejected by the British electorate) has earned a salary far in excess of that which he would have received as prime minister by jumping on the EU gravy train.

However, in a world in which the head of a FTSE 100 company earns an average of £5.5 million and even in the public sector a head of a university can earn a salary twice that of the prime minister, it is unsurprising much of Britain's talent is not attracted by politics. Those vocationally drawn to such a career are more likely to be born in to wealth than have worked hard to accumulate it in their own lifetime and that is hardly an endorsement of their ability (Cameron being an obvious example).

I also agree with you there are some MPs who do not work hard (though there are also many who do). which is why I made the point that it is also important that the terms of the job are altered to weed out those who are not committed.

I'm sure a salary increase wouldn't solve all the problems, but given the assumption of the OP that the current standard is not good enough, if money is not part of the answer to attract better MPs, what do you believe the alternative is?
[deleted]
10th Aug 2016 13:59:20 (Last activity: 11th Aug 2016 15:30:07)
2
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[deleted]
Response from anf1408 made on 11th Aug 2016 15:30:07
Well said Lionel. I totally agree.

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