Fylde MPs reject 10 per cent pay boost proposal

Marcial Boo, the chief executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has said MPs are in line for the rise, which would take their salaries to £74,000 a year, because there was a need for them to “catch up” with what foreign politicians are paid.

He said the rise, which was first mooted last year, must go ahead after the general election next May.

But Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said:“I made my position quite clear when this idea was first suggested and I still believe that this rise is not justified.

“I am disappointed that they are proceeding with the rise, I just hope that enough of my fellow colleagues are strong enough to go against it.

“If this does not happen then any extra income that I get will be shared between a number of good charities that provide opportunities for young people and help the elderly.”

He added: “This proposed rise is not needed at a time when other public sector workers are not getting similar rises in their pay packets.

“I hope that the leaders of all the parties are sensible enough to stand firm on their position from last year and are quick to oppose any rises.”

Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South said: “I’ll say what I said when this was first mentioned last time, it is a complete distraction from the current situation.

“We have not requested it and at a time when people in the public sector are not receiving any rises, it’s completely inappropriate to talk about it.”

Eric Ollerenshaw, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, said: “I think the suggestion is absolutely stupid.

“I will be opposing it whenever it comes to be discussed at Parliament.”

Marical Boo has described the current £67,060 annual wage of politicians as a “miserly amount”, but Mr Ollerenshaw said he completely disagrees with this statement.

He said: “It depends on who you compare it against, we are in the same boat as everyone in the public sector and should also abide by the one per cent rise.” Ben Wallace, MP for Wyre and Preston North believes that there is little to the argument and thought politicians pay rises should follow everyone else in the public sector.

He said: “It’s about simple leadership. If people in the public sector are not getting pay rises then nor should we.”

The proposal sparked widespread public condemnation when it was first discussed last year with Prime Minister David Cameron describing it as “wrong.”

Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, was unavailable for comment.