David McCann: Why our MLAs should be paid more (seriously) |
MAKING the case for our politicians to be paid more is not an easy task, but here I go anyway.
Before I seem like I am completely out of touch, I get the anger at the proposal to raise MLA pay by 27%.
After all, for five of the last 10 years, Stormont has been down, and when it is up, it can seem like we either get gridlock or mindless bickering.
Why on earth would you argue for a higher salary for what we have at the moment?
Brian Feeney: How Britain’s bid to criminalise the IRA backfired spectacularly
Sophie Clarke: Anthony Boyle, Lola Petticrew and the rise of Northern Irish actors on screen
Using this platform, I want to make the argument for why we should pay our MLAs more – and why the standards we expect from them should rise just as much.
I have heard over the past week a common refrain – “It’s not the right time” – as a cost-of-living crisis still bites and our economy faces headwinds.
A bit like discussing Irish unity, I wonder: well, when is the right time? Do we need spectacular public services first? Is it a certain number of bills........