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Yeah I’ve worked in hospitality / with door staff and the level of threat / violence is not the same as with MPs. 2 have actually been murdered in the past 5 yrs… that is a ludicrous level of risk. I don’t think you can credibly compare the risk to MPs with the risk in those professions, for the most part.
I think it would mean they better represent the average person if they lived like them.
I think this is the best argument - I have thought this as well and it is the main counter-argument in my own mind to higher pay levels.
I kind of think the level of pay at the moment might be the worst of both worlds - high, but not high enough to actually be more than lots of professional jobs. MPs don’t have to live like the majority but nor is it enough to tempt people away from a lot of careers.
Like... many jobs. Maybe not from as many people but emergency services, NHS staff, mental health workers, taxi drivers, kebab shop owners, parking attendants, bouncers.
It's not just because I can find examples, it's because I think it would mean they better represent the average person if they lived like them.
That bit was tongue in cheek, I've been far too serious today. But the inherited wealth thing doesn't go against anything I've said. Having the ability to not have to work means you can spend your time trying to get elected, without that you need to work and probably not in something that'll get you into a job as an MP, I don't think that's a good thing though.