THIS hot potato has come around again today as the huge £10,000 pa increase for Welsh Assembly members has been approved. Despite all the protests about austerity measures both WAG and Parliament representatives have hit the jackpot. How can anybody take these politicians seriously?
Sandy Blair seems pretty casual as he tries to justify this because of extra powers and a radical change in their jobs .I am surprised he hasn’t used the usual lame comparison with top directors in industry, although he did say that the new salary reflected their responsibility. As police forces, the NHS and other essential services are pushed for finance and savings, not one word of objection is heard from AM members. Is this not hypocritical? In a few months they will be pushing for more Assembly members and staff, as local government is forced to cut services.
I can see now why setting up the Assembly was a close vote, but it’s here so we have to live with it. I expect Sandy Blair and his Remuneration Panel will be meeting very quickly after the Assembly elections next year to make sure that AM’s are being paid at the correct level.

Jim Dyer,
Stockton Road,
Newport