**I find there are significantly more reasons to reduce MP's salary to that of an average UK citizen, however there are still some drawbacks** The basic annual salary for an MP from 1 April 2020 is [£81,932](https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/pay-mps/). MPs also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff, having somewhere to live in London or their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency. **For** - MP's should be paid around a standard, median worker's wage, which is at present [£29,952 p/a](https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/averageweeklyearningsingreatbritain/august2021) for full-time employees. - This could enable them to understand the life of the average working man in the country. - There is an issue between the wealth divide of MP's and the average UK citizen which means they make policies that are not in the best interests of the masses and favour those with wealth since they fall into that category. - Their place in the wealth bracket as well as the fact that high salaries attract those with elite upbringings means there is a huge [detachment](https://ecpr.eu/Events/Event/PaperDetails/29607) between MPs and the general public. - Average wages can also lead to better policymaking as they are less out of touch with the lives of the average citizen. - They are elected as representatives of the public, so should represent the public in terms of salary and life experience. - A high, attractive wage means the role might attract those with the wrong intentions, who prioritise money over the citizens and the role itself. - MP's also receive many royalties in addition to their high wages, meaning their actual income is much higher than their salary. **Against** - This is one of the most important jobs in this country, so it can be argued that high wages will attract the top talent that the country has to offer, similar to the reasons we pay doctors so highly. - By paying them a comfortably, high wage it could also mean they are less likely to be bribed and corrupted.