Overview

The current salary of a UK MP is:

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• One of the lowest in the developed world (in absolute terms and when compared to average salaries in the capital cities in which they work).

• A fraction of the salary that the ideal candidate is currently making in other professions.

• Insufficient to give MPs access to housing suitable for a family in London without relying on additional income.

The current salary is equivalent to a typical middle manager’s salary in London.

Impact of Uncompetitive Salaries

We have some very hard working MPs. However, the buying power of an MP’s salary in London means that, typically, the only people that are attracted:

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• Have personal income (inherited wealth) – These people have not had to strive for success and are less likely to understand the challenges of people who have.  

• Don’t have the qualities needed – These people see the salary as higher than they would achieve elsewhere. They do not have the experience or ability needed in this complex role.

• Have the wrong motivation – They wish to become an MP to gain power or to exploit the potential benefits (highly paid board positions in return for favours).

Job Specification - Present this job spec to a London recruiter and they will tell you that the salary range is half what it needs to be to attract the right candidate.

Abilities

• High level of intelligence; ability to understand a wide range of issues in some depth (from science to economics).

• Exceptional problem solver.

• Clear thinker, able to explain the complex in a simple way.

• Exceptional communicator. 

Experience

• High-level (senior top-tier management) success in relevant field.

• Successfully driven complex change.

• Experience of running large teams of people.

• Has been responsible for delivering value with multi-million-pound budgets.

Personal Qualities

• Inspiring leader.

• Excellent speaker. Able to think on feet.

• Resilient but empathetic.