@ChrisMayLA6

Isn't the main problem corruption?

The Chartists were against MPs having more than a 1 year term because they said that given longer terms, MPs would serve their own interests, not the interests of their constituents.

At the moment this seems to involve MPs ingratiating themselves with private water companies, US tech kings, US private health companies etc.

@ChrisMayLA6 my only disagreement would be they should get Median Wage, with median terms and conditions of employment. Not sure about the no outside jobs, both as some professional require constant practice to keep registration, eg medicine. And I suspect median T&C's do not exclude second jobs in your free time. Indeed for many people they are a necessity. So binding MPs to the lives the population live would be important. As the inequality grows a bigger pool need two jobs to survive.

@ChrisMayLA6

I don't think that the answer is pay and work conditions. Plenty of great people go into low paying professions because they feel a calling.

No, IMO, the problem is that politics draws those seeking power, or worse those amoral people willing to use power as their donors direct.

To me, we need more democracy - spreading power more broadly - more roles through sortition - and a hard stop on money in politics. That's my dream.

@ChrisMayLA6

I remember people in my A level politics class making just this point in about 1997, but the teacher just laughed and said it would never happen because most of the electorate perceive MPs as overpaid already. Same guy also laughed at notion that we’d ever get proportional representation in this country…he’s given up teaching and become a priest. Make of that what you will.

@ChrisMayLA6 totally agree being an MP is a full time job, so no outside earnings should be allowed.
If that means a top 5% salary then so be it