By Isle of Wight Observer
This story published in the Isle of Wight Observer of 14th May, 1859 caught our eye after the local elections last week.
MPs did not receive a salary until 1911. This was part of the 1911 Parliament Act and was an attempt to make the role more accessible to those who did not have a private income. The initial annual salary was £400 – equivalent to £40,134 today – with no expenses. MPs are now paid £93,904, plus expenses.
WHY SHOULD ELECTIONS BE SO COSTLY TO CANDIDATES?
One of the most humiliating considerations in connection with contested Parliamentary Elections, is that of the cost entailed by the process upon the Candidates; it is in fact a remnant of the corruption so artfully practised by Sir R. Walpole, which tradition hands to us. If elections will persist in fostering such an abominable system, and will send their Representatives to Parliament with a millstone of several thousand pounds weight around their necks, what result can be expected? If a nice job should be perpetrated to effect reimbursement, will complaint be justly made? We do not wish to insinuate that jobbery necessarily follows expense, but we do contend that purity must be exhibited by electors before it can be expected from representatives. Unless in exceptional cases arising from distance, illness, &c., what sight can be more contemptible than seeing a man ride to the poll? As to the beastly saturnalia in public-houses, of which we have seen so many accounts during the recent general election, we are happy to say the county of the Isle of Wight is exceedingly free, and we wish we could say the same of the borough of Newport. To effect a radical cure of this incorrigible evil, let every one – electors and non-electors – raise his voice against it; and it cannot be put down effectually by any power other than that of PUBLIC OPINION.