Chamber
Plenary, 21 Mar 2002
21 Mar 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Parliament Salaries and Allowances
No, I will not.
My reasons for lodging the amendment are simple. First, I do not believe that we should be voting at all on our own salaries. That is a hideous position to be in—I share John Young's sentiment on that—and I hope that we will avoid it in future years.
Secondly, I cannot vote for something that I am unable to defend in public and I cannot defend receiving a pay rise that is four times the pay rise of a nurse or equivalent to the annual income of many pensioners.
Thirdly, and most important, I do not believe that voting for the proposed pay rise will do anything to help to build trust and respect between the Scottish public and their Parliament. We should pay attention to the public mood on the issue. A poll today said that 99 per cent of the public thought that we should not accept the pay rise. We should listen to the views of the public.
Let Westminster MPs justify to the public why they should get paid more when they do less. That is an issue for them. I support parity, as long as it involves a pay cut for Westminster MPs. The issue is a question of political judgment about what is sensible and in the best interests of this Parliament at this time. I urge members to support my amendment.
I move amendment S1M-2919.1, to insert after "the Scheme":
"subject to the Scheme being amended as follows: in paragraph 2(1) leave out ‘£48,228' and insert ‘£42,918', and in paragraph 5 leave out from ‘as specified' to end and insert ‘in accordance with an index determined by the Parliamentary corporation.'"
My reasons for lodging the amendment are simple. First, I do not believe that we should be voting at all on our own salaries. That is a hideous position to be in—I share John Young's sentiment on that—and I hope that we will avoid it in future years.
Secondly, I cannot vote for something that I am unable to defend in public and I cannot defend receiving a pay rise that is four times the pay rise of a nurse or equivalent to the annual income of many pensioners.
Thirdly, and most important, I do not believe that voting for the proposed pay rise will do anything to help to build trust and respect between the Scottish public and their Parliament. We should pay attention to the public mood on the issue. A poll today said that 99 per cent of the public thought that we should not accept the pay rise. We should listen to the views of the public.
Let Westminster MPs justify to the public why they should get paid more when they do less. That is an issue for them. I support parity, as long as it involves a pay cut for Westminster MPs. The issue is a question of political judgment about what is sensible and in the best interests of this Parliament at this time. I urge members to support my amendment.
I move amendment S1M-2919.1, to insert after "the Scheme":
"subject to the Scheme being amended as follows: in paragraph 2(1) leave out ‘£48,228' and insert ‘£42,918', and in paragraph 5 leave out from ‘as specified' to end and insert ‘in accordance with an index determined by the Parliamentary corporation.'"
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-2919, in the name of John Young, on the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme and the Scottish parliamentar...
John Young (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
At the outset, I make it clear that I speak on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, not on behalf of the Conservative group or any other poli...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
You should simply move the motion, Mr Young.
John Young:
Con
I will now move the motion. I move that the Parliament, in exercise—
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
It is not necessary to read the motion out, as it appears in the business bulletin. You should simply move the motion.
John Young:
Con
I was advised that it might have to be read out, but I shall simply move the motion and trust that everyone knows what it says. I move,That the Parliament—(a...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I should make it clear that I am speaking in a personal capacity this afternoon. I begin by paying tribute to the business managers of the Parliament, who ha...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Will Shona Robison accept an intervention?
Shona Robison:
SNP
No, I will not. My reasons for lodging the amendment are simple. First, I do not believe that we should be voting at all on our own salaries. That is a hideo...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
I am sure that I was not the only member who received a Christmas card from the Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust branch of Unison. That Christmas card h...
Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am surprised to find myself speaking at this stage of the debate, but I will briefly take the opportunity to say something, as I was one of the business ma...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Not at this stage.
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No. Not at this stage.I am suggesting that it is appropriate to move on those lines because I believe that it is the responsibility of Parliament to deal wit...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
We all find the subject very difficult and in no way do I criticise any member who comes to a different conclusion from mine. After a lot of swithering, I ha...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I speak in support of Shona Robison's amendment. I am aware of the hard work and long hours that every member contributes and I am aware that elsewhere, whet...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I will vote for the SSRB's recommendation, but not because I particularly think that I am worth that amount of money. That is not what I am being asked to vo...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
I am sure that, for Ms MacDonald, the public of Scotland would make an exception on the beheading. I do not intend to make a long speech, but a couple of poi...
Dorothy-Grace Elder:
SNP
I am rather puzzled about why we are repeatedly hearing the mantra that things will be much better next time because the issue will not be publicly debated i...
Patricia Ferguson:
Lab
If Dorothy-Grace Elder's premise were correct, I would probably agree with her, but it is not correct. The motion will mean that in future the SPCB will have...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
I will not support the motion for two reasons. First, there is a desperate need for the Parliament to rebuild confidence among the general public. Any member...
John Young:
Con
I shall be brief. As I said in my opening remarks, the role of the corporate body has been to facilitate the debate. A number of interesting comments have be...