Thanks, Major Leacock

My column this week deals with a very important issue that we have been ducking for years now, that of remuneration for Parliamentarians and Ministers of government. My heartiest congratulations to veteran Opposition MP Hon. St.Clair Leacock, better known as “Major” from his military background,

for the courage shown in again bringing the matter quite forcefully before the House of Assembly last week.

As indicated, it was not the first time that the “Major” brought the matter before Parliament though it was sometimes mixed with personal and emotional issues which clouded the matter. In fact, Leacock was made to appear as if he was being selfish and greedy though that was not the matter at all.

This time the long-standing MP, while still emotional in his presentation, as he is wont to do, used the example of a former Opposition MP, Roland “Patel” Matthews, to demonstrate his case, but elucidated it with greater clarity. While emphasizing that he was particularly concerned about benefits which ought to be granted to Mr. Matthews, he used the opportunity to forcefully argue the case for all Parliamentarians, from captain to cook. Major Leacock not only argued that the remuneration for Parliamentarians was inadequate and out of date, but we now have a situation that can only be labelled as incongruous whereby top government officials earn more than their ministerial bosses. He was not afraid to point out that this can only help to undermine the authority of those who belong to the institution which is supposed to be supreme in the country.

The argument about the discrepancy and about remuneration for government ministers was supported and amplified by the Prime Minister himself validating the arguments of Major Leacock. However, it was disappointing to note the solution proffered by the P. M. Having acknowledged the validity of the argument, Prime Minister Gonsalves advised the Opposition MP that he should try to get the Leader of the Opposition to send a letter signed by members on the Opposition bench proposing measures to address the situation. That disheartening response arises from the root of the problem. Over the years the general public has been led to believe that Ministers of government and Parliamentarians, the “big boys” as they are popularly called, are handsomely paid and as a result it is tantamount to a crime to call for appropriate remuneration for them. It can become a hot political issue, especially on the verge of general elections.

In fact, Major Leacock referred to the last time that pay rises for Ministers and MPs was raised, leading to the Bill for its legislation to be popularly deemed the “Greedy Bill”. Fortunately, PM Gonsalves gave clarity to the matter which caused a political storm in 2000/1 and contributed to the defeat of the then NDP government in the elections of March 2001. Dr. Gonsalves had then led his party’s robust objection to the bill which provoked popular outrage and mobilisation by the labour movement. However, he told the House of Assembly that the objection was not in principle against pay hikes for the Ministers and MPs but must be taken in the context where the government of the day, while tabling the so-called “Greedy Bill”, had at the same time adamantly refused to entertain any notion of a pay rise, long overdue, for public servants.

The political problem is that political parties in opposition have long demonised any idea of increased remuneration for Ministers and MPs. There is therefore a mortal fear among MPs, especially those on the government bench, about raising this matter or proposing such a raise. Politicians are not only behaving cowardly in regard to the matter but being dishonest as well.

Our political culture is such that too many ordinary, and not so ordinary, citizens have developed the parasitic practice of “scrunting” Ministers and MPs for just about everything, not just for government assistance, but personal finance from Ministers. I have witnessed persons going to the homes of Ministers of Government with empty gas bottles seeking finance for a refill. To be sure, politicians over the years have encouraged this practice, further impoverishing themselves and their families while being afraid to raise their own precarious financial situation which desperately needs rectification.

So, they should all be grateful that Mr Leacock has openly once again raised this major problem. When we do not address such glaring discrepancies, we leave the door open to corruption, we undermine the authority of those in power where their official subordinates earn much more than their bosses.It is time for an open conversation, time to lay the cards on the table.

Thank you. Major Leacock for openly raising this vital matter.

• Renwick Rose is a Social and Political commentator.