Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to Alistair Darling asking him to make clear his position on Westminster MPs pay.

This followed the news in the Daily Record in December that Mr Darling refused to answer questions when quizzed on the proposed pay rise, and in light of revelations that Mr Darling has been paid more than £170,000 for after dinner speeches, including more than £30,000 for addressing two meetings in a single day.

Mr Thompson has contacted the leader of the No campaign to ask him if he thinks that he is not already remunerated appropriately by the public purse.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said: “I have written to Alistair Darling as the people of Scotland deserve to know exactly what the leader of the No campaign thinks Westminster pay should be set at.

“All six SNP MPs made their position crystal clear – they said No to a rise. But dozens of Scottish MPs dodged the question - including the man who wants Westminster to control Scotland.

“Mr Darling is in charge of a campaign that is desperately trying to tell Scotland that we shouldn't be taking decisions for ourselves - therefore he must not be allowed to dodge the question. The decisions he takes to rake in £170,000 form public speaking and then, by default silence, hoping for a pay rise in his part time job as an MP is unacceptable.

“I look forward to receiving a response from Mr Darling, explaining his position.

“Only a Yes vote in this year’s referendum will enable the people of Scotland to make decisions closer to home - saving the £50 million we currently pay for Westminster's running costs - and have accountable and value-for-money elected representatives to help build a fairer and more prosperous country."

Notes:

26 cowardly Scots MPs refuse to come out and say whether they are in favour of their impending 11 per cent pay rise

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/26-cowardly-scots-mps-refuse-2921124

Below is the text from Dave’s letter to Mr Darling which was sent on 20th December 2013

Dear Alistair

MP Salary Increase

I write to ask you to clarify your position on the proposal to increase Westminster salaries by 11%.  I am contacting you as I believe that the people of Scotland deserve to know exactly what the leader of the No campaign thinks Westminster pay should be set at.

All six SNP MPs made their position crystal clear – they said No to a rise. But dozens of Scottish MPs have dodged the question - including you.

You are in charge of a campaign that is desperately trying to tell Scotland that we shouldn't be taking decisions for ourselves and I believe that you should let the people of Scotland know what your position is on this rise, given that thousands of Scots are suffering under the austerity measures of the Westminster Government that you are readily supporting in the No Campaign.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Dave Thompson

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (SNP)