Tory MPs should consider their own privileged position before lecturing others on how lucky they are
Nurses were angered at Tory MP Eddie Hughes’ suggestion they have a good deal compared to other workers [Image: Getty]
Before he criticised nurses, he should have considered the fact that, as a Tory MP, he is also paid more than hairdressers, plumbers or carpenters – and much more than nurses.
And all he does for a living is flap his lips!
He should also have considered that, as an MP, he is ultimately responsible for deciding the amount that nurses are paid. Sure, a statutory organisation is said to set the figure, but it can only do this within limits set by MPs – people like Mr Hughes.
And he should have considered the fact that hairdressers, plumbers or carpenters, if they are self-employed, determine their own rate of pay according to the state of their business’s finances. As an MP, he can benefit from inflation-busting pay rises, no matter how badly his party has mismanaged the country, because he can always rely on nurses, hairdressers, plumbers or carpenters to pay their taxes.
And, as far as This Writer can tell, hairdressers, plumbers and carpenters haven’t complained about nurses’ pay.
If he had considered these elements, perhaps Mr Hughes would have said something different or – preferably – held his tongue.
But then, that’s the problem with Tory MPs like Mr Hughes: No consideration.
Nurses have been told by a Tory MP they get paid more than “hairdressers, plumbers or carpenters”.
Eddie Hughes MP has sparked anger by claiming junior nurses already have a good deal compared to other workers.
His intervention during a Parliamentary debate has caused anger among campaigners calling for a lifting of the 1% below- inflation pay cap which has left nurses £3,000 worse off.
The NHS faces an unprecedented staffing crisis with 40,000 nurse jobs unfilled.
Mr Hughes, Conservative MP for Walsall North, said: “Many workers in my constituency are employed as hairdressers, plumbers or carpenters, and what pay rise do they get?”
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I have never liked the Tories, but at least in the 1970s, 80s and 90s however wicked their policies they could at least figure out a logical, consistent idea. Nowadays they seem incapable of thought. Apart from a few old senior Tories like Clarke, Patten and Heseltine they all seem to be lobotomised, dim-witted dogma zombies.
Divide and rule, again and again, and again. They think we haven’t noticed!