tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611157281567615666.post5225367511921153832..comments2023-12-27T13:19:38.184+00:00Comments on BellgroveBelle: Savings on a rainy dayBellgroveBellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011429534354744636noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611157281567615666.post-2596245729418009072009-09-08T15:38:58.655+01:002009-09-08T15:38:58.655+01:00William, I can't comment precisely on MSPs, bu...William, I can't comment precisely on MSPs, but I believe that being Convener or Vice-Convener of a Committee would be a step up in responsibility and experience. Opposition MSPs get the opportunity to take on this role as well. <br /><br />I agree that some of the expenses concentrated on by the media (such as staff costs) are part of the cost of democracy, but others are less crucial. I'm just not convinced that paying for 169 ministers is an effective use of public funds. <br /><br />If MPs want to progress their careers in Government, it shouldn't come at the taxpayers expense.BellgroveBellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02011429534354744636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611157281567615666.post-61457108946123690612009-09-08T15:25:35.227+01:002009-09-08T15:25:35.227+01:00I'm sure Cameron means well but I don't se...I'm sure Cameron means well but I don't see that cutting wages by £5,000 or whatever is really going to make a difference to anything. It's a gesture, that's all.<br /><br />I've always assumed that the 'under secretary of state' structure acted as a means for politicians to gain experience of a particular department or office before moving up or on. <br /><br />How does it work for MSP's, then? Are you just as an MSP and then you get called to become a Minister overnight? And what happens when you stop being a Minister? Do you just get dumped back to being a plain MSP again?<br /><br />The cost of governance is what it is. If we want to be a civilized First World country then we have to accept it costs a bit of money to run a country of that size. We're starting to develop an unhealthy fascination with every penny spent by politicians whilst ignoring the bigger picture, imo.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14384257837409326870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611157281567615666.post-39245039208222925942009-09-08T14:49:56.208+01:002009-09-08T14:49:56.208+01:00In the Scottish Government, there are six Cabinet ...In the Scottish Government, there are six Cabinet Secretaries and ten Ministers. That's it!<br /><br />I can't figure out where the Westminster figure comes from - there will be Junior ministers as well there.BellgroveBellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02011429534354744636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611157281567615666.post-53917991454881974662009-09-08T14:44:14.628+01:002009-09-08T14:44:14.628+01:00Perhaps he's including deputies?
That would...Perhaps he's including deputies? <br /><br />That would double the number. It would also make the MSP count around the same percentage if you included deputies (assuming they have them).JoeJaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00984498615645237172noreply@blogger.com