MLAs ought to have entire pay withheld

IT has been announced by the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, that MLAs would have their salaries cut by £13,000 — from £49,500 to £35,888.

This comes in the wake of the revelation in July that Stormont’s ageing collection of fossilised sea sponges have collectively absorbed more than £9m since the Assembly was collapsed in January last year.

What wasn’t announced? A similar cut in taxes to alleviate the difficulties caused by the lack of local governance. I say it’s not enough.

The key aspect of Jobseeker’s Allowance is that claimants must prove their willingness to work and their efforts to secure work.

Our MLAs have shown no such proof, so why should we continue to dole out £35,888 to each one for their lack of effort?

Cut their salaries entirely and reform the system of rule, so that weak minority governments can be formed.

Yes, unionist or nationalist minority governments are not wholly representative, but they are better than no representation at all.

People care about healthcare, about education, about housing and roads. We care about Brexit. We care about equal marriage. We deserve to have our voices heard.

Until then, it would be fitting to remind the Secretary of State of the slogan of the American colonists, ‘No taxation without representation’.

A people who are unrepresented become restless.

David Ibsen wrote last week (Comment, September 3) that this political stagnation is allowing dangerous ideologies to fester.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Stop appeasing the old guard of Stormont and force reform that will make them compete for their place at the table.

MICHAEL WAY Students for Liberty (NI)