Are they having a laugh? (From Bournemouth Echo)

Are they having a laugh?

7:00am Thursday 14th February 2008 in

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HOW much allowance should a councillor receive? They aren't forced to do the job but it would be a sad affair if only the well-to-do could afford to stand for election.

Right now Bournemouth councillors are in the process of voting whether to give themselves increases in their allowances of between 17 and 36 per cent.

Before you pinch yourselves to check if you heard right, an independent panel has said that those hefty rises will bring them into line with what they are worth.

Are they? "I have absolutely no idea," said the leader of the council. Nor me.

The council cabinet, yesterday agreed the figures, to be ratified by full council, but, lamentably, without discussion.

Only last month a row erupted after another independent panel recommended that MPs should receive a pay increase of 2.56 per cent. The MPs, however, decided that was too much in the current climate and voted instead for 1.9 per cent.

I have no reason to question the independent assessments made in the cases of both the MPs and Bournemouth councillors. But the flaw in the system is that the politicians then have to vote for the recommendation themselves. Which is politically awkward to say the least and should, perhaps, be changed.

Right now, the vast majority of people are expected to avoid seeking pay rises significantly above inflation. And people worried by 4.9 per cent council tax rises, too, will raise eyebrows at councillors' allowances rising by 17 per cent upwards.

Perhaps the councillors should test the water of public opinion before grabbing their dosh, whether it is deserved or not.

Good politicians, like other comedians, need a sense of timing.