Say on Pay

I have a lot to say on pay today. First regarding the Northern Ireland General Assembly, which hasn’t been in session since January 2017. The Sinn Fein-Democratic Unionist coalition collapsed when SF called out the DUP on its corrupt cash-for-ash scheme, supposedly a green energy scheme, however the main green element was the cash going to friends of the DUP.

Secretary of State Karen Bradley recently announced that, nearly two years after the collapse, the 90 members of the legislative assembly will see their £49,500 annual salary cut to £35,888. I think that is still a bit rich for a group of people who, even when in session, accomplish fuck all. Pardon my French.

The inquiry on the Renewable Heating Initiative scheme (RHI) began in November 2017 and has laid bare the incompetence, greed, and corruption at the heart of the DUP. In one memorable comment, a highly placed DUP official said he didn’t understand the problem if there was an overspend, given that the money was coming from London. The more we take the better, he said in essence. We also learned notes are not taken at meetings, the better to protect the two main parties from embarrassment.

It is hard to understand how the DUP can continue to govern when it has been shown to be corrupt to its core.

On to pay issue #2. When the BBC was forced to divulge salaries, we learned that BBC Radio 2 morning host Chris Evans--the most upbeat presenter I have ever heard--had the largest pay packet, at 1.6 mm pounds. Scorn was heaped on him for daring to be so highly compensated. I couldn’t get too worked up about it because I find him highly entertaining and he helps to get my day off to a great start. That show is the most listened to show in the UK. Chris announced recently that he is jumping ship to Virgin Radio, where he will make 2 mm pounds. In one sense, he has shown that he was “underpaid.” But it is a big disappointment. I’d take the BBC over Virgin any day on any media platform. I’d hate to think of Chris being “all about the dolla”. But maybe he is. He is a very positive person who sees the good in everyone--part of what I love about him. But he is also ambitious--for some people that very positive world view comes with a hunger to always be better. It’s hard though to conceive of someone not being happy with 1.6 mm pounds.
There may be other factors at play. His wife is expecting twins and maybe Virgin will give him a later time slot. Who knows. I’ll miss him but I’m also excited to see who will replace him. Most likely a woman as the BBC has been slow to put women in its prime slots. It also has a habit of keeping men on long past their sell by date. I think listeners are ready for new blood.
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