On Trashing MPs

Friday's Graun article from Hannah Spencer upset some people in politics. Reflecting on her first few weeks in the Commons, she suggests MPs - above all Labour MPs - are out of touch. And it struck a needle into a raw nerve. Stafford MP Leigh Ingham called it "insulting and oversimplistic" and accused Spencer of making "populist slurs" and "feeding anti-trust in politics". Economics prof Jonathan Portes thought it was "deeply depressing". His conclusion is that it was "lazy soundbites and bad economics".

Spencer is not wrong, though. If any of them read beyond the headline, I imagine these lines sat awkwardly.

I don’t think that’s something most MPs understand – not really. They might think they do, they might say they do, but they don’t properly know what it’s like; how it feels in your bones.

And

The Labour government has finally bowed to pressure and is set to bring in new measures this month that it says will help people with the cost of living. But the reality is its plan isn’t good enough.

That much is true, but if anything Spencer is too kind to the honourable members. Today, for example, changes to Universal Credit means that applicants for extra support for disabilities face lower payments than those already receiving them. The projected saving for this is £1bn over the next three years, a sum so low that one can only conclude the cut is being made for punitive reasons. Something the government themselves admit, albeit behind the usual rubbish about "increasing the incentive to work". It begs the question that if MPs are "in touch" like they claim to be, then why was this allowed through following the disability cuts rebellion last year. Have costs gone down for people living with severe impairments?

There are several things that work to estrange MPs from the electorate. Their salaries and perks put them in the top one per cent of earners. They are flattered and feted by parliamentary and party hangers on, and important people enjoy treating them. Like the £3k of hospitality our hardworking Leigh Ingham enjoyed from Google at last year's Glastonbury. The experience of dealing with constituents has a similar effect. Most come seeking some form of assistance, and so the MP has a 'power-over' position from the start. This can lead to a certain arrogance. I.e. A belief that they know what people want better than anyone else, particularly the weirdos that come to branch and constituency meetings. And, in some cases, contempt for constituents' concerns. This forms an insulating barrier against everyday life. And enables so many to get sucked into the doings and frequent dramas of Westminster - the work they want to do as opposed to the stuff they have to do.

This can be mitigated, and it's worth remembering that left wing MPs, though not immune to customary entitlements, do better than most. Not because they're superhuman or uniquely moral, but usually thanks to the strong links they have with their local party, community groups, trade unions, and social movement mobilisations. Whereas the freebies, business lunches, and VIP trips give those who avail themselves of them an altogether different grounding. And readies them to cater for the interests of those who must be kowtowed to.

Spencer then is absolutely right to call MPs out of touch, because their realities are far removed from most ordinary people's. Everyone knows MPs live a rarefied life, and it's farcical to pretend otherwise.

Image Credit