The New Statesman ran an article on Monday about an Early Day Motion (EDM) opposing the IPSA proposed payrise of MP’s pay by 11%.
Only ten MPs signed the EDM
One of our readers was surprised to read that despite being against the rise, Andrew Turner had decided not to sign the Early Day Motion opposing it.
Readers will remember earlier in the month that Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, told OnTheWight he was against the rise,
My own view is that such a move would be both ill-judged and ill-timed and I hope IPSA will reconsider. They should have taken overall public service pay and pensions restraint into account when making their recommendations.
He went on to add that if the 11% pay rise did go through, he’d pass the increase received to good causes on the Island for the duration of the next Parliament.
“I do not sign EDMs”
We got in touch with Andrew Turner’s office to find out why.
Andrew told OnTheWight,
“Like many MPs in all parties I do not sign EDMs. They are neither debated in the House of Commons nor receive any attention from the Government. They are also very expensive to administer. As so many MPs do not get involved with them they are also no indicator of the strength of feeling on any issue – as is sometimes claimed.”
Who signed the EDM
Those who did sign the EDM were:
Martin Caton (Labour)
Jim Dobbin (Labour)
Mark Durkan (SDLP)
Jonathan Edwards (Plaid Cymru)
Glenda Jackson (Labour)
John Mann (Labour)
Dr William McCrea (DUP)
Margaret Ritchie (SDLP)
Jim Shannon (DUP)
David Ward (Liberal Democrats)
