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Dr Phillip Lee says MPs' salaries are "unfair" compared to chief executives in the NHS and on councils
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Dr Phillip Lee "I'm not asking for a pay rise...."

By Jennie Slevin
February 20, 2013

Bracknell's MP has told his constituents MPs should be paid more, but has stressed he is not asking for a rise.

Speaking at an intense Q & A session at Sandhurst Community Hall on Thursday, February 7, Dr Phillip Lee revealed his salary is a third of the size of Bracknell Forest Council chief executive Tim Wheadon.

The Tory politician, who used to earn a GP wage on top of the £65,738 annual salary as an MP, also claimed £9,869.80 this financial year in expenses for accommodation in London.

During a question and answer session at Sandhurst Community Centre in Yorktown Road, he said: “It’s a tough ask to come out and ask the public for a pay rise.

“You want quality decent individuals to hold people to account. There are 650 members of Parliament, it’s not really a lot of people.

“If I have a lunch meeting with someone do you think that’s a business cost or do you think I should pay?”

He said: “I get paid a third of the amount the chief executive of Bracknell Forest Council gets paid.”

He added: “This isn’t to say I’m asking for a pay rise. How can I face my constituents working in the private sector making nothing when there are local authority and NHS executives getting paid £160,000 to £200,000 a year?”

However, Dr Lee warned that if people kept bashing MPs "anyone half decent will leave" and people could be left with a lower quality of politician.

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Don't forget folks : Please visit

http://38degrees.uservoice.com/forums/78585-campaign-suggestions/suggestions/3717893-constituents-of-bracknell-oppose-super-hospital- and sign Winstanley's petition if you want a clear debate about health care provision for Bracknell and are opposed to Phillip Lee's 'super hospital'. Phillip Lee is running multiple campaigns to promote his vision but he and the local conservatives have shown that they are prepared to quash any dissenting voice on this important matter as seen in blocking and censoring comments on Facebook and also blocking their detractors on Twitter. All opinions need to be considered and recognised by all sides.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
06/03/2013 at 11:57

YAY - Get Bracknell finally censors me. IN future I shall copy all my posts and blog them...... are the local press in the pay of TORY TOWERS?????

Answers please

Neal Evans, Forest Park
02/03/2013 at 20:24

Martina if the Dr actually DID something for the people of Bracknell rather than for himself - and made a successful job of it, rather than doing a Tory press and print to any questions asked of him - then I am sure he would be worth the money he is paid and perhaps even more

As he doesn't - then to me he ain't worth paying tuppance!

The voice of reason
02/03/2013 at 13:52

"Government social entrepreneur and our new Chief UK Healthcare Systems Strategist, Dr Phillip Lee who is the MP for Bracknell" http://www.entrepreneurcountry.com/news-features/healthcare/item/2248-why-dr-phil-aint-no-dr-death

Perhaps it would have been a little more honest if you had included the connection between yourself and the doctor Martina.

timespassing
01/03/2013 at 19:40

As an executive search consultant working in the UK and internationally, I can tell you that Dr Lee is absolutely right. MPs' pay is absolutely preposterous and does not reflect the qualifications, competence and experience required for the role. This is one of the very reasons the country is in such a state. Of course, there are MPs who are competent and visionary etc and want to do work for the greater good, but they are in the minority because we live in a country with such a materialistic outlook that many of the right people for the role are held psychological & monetary prisoner by the mammoth salaries paid by corporates/other organisations. Therefore, it is difficult to give up such a role for the uncertain position of an MP. If you disagree with Dr Lee's views then I suggest you start campaigning against high salaries paid to company executives etc in this country because if they were brought down, then perhaps there would be more good candidates putting themselves forward.

Martina Keens-Betts, London
01/03/2013 at 16:55

Well, have a bashing then Lee, and leave. We will have the quality of Politician we vote for thank you very much, not some piddle poddle half threat from you.

Timothy Jefferies, Disgraced Mayor Of Crowthorne.
01/03/2013 at 15:36

timespassing - I have a few thoughts on how a parliamentary candidate can be more accessible , accountable, and in touch with the common citizen's concerns.

But to divulge as much on here would be gifting the opposition a heads up.

"....the government we have gives freedome and livelihood to the Gentry, to have abundance, and to lock up Treasures of the Earth from the poor, so that rich men may have chests full of Gold and Silver, and houses full of Corn and Goods to look upon; and the poor that works to get it, can hardly live, and if they cannot work like Slaves, then they must starve..." Gerrard Winstanley 1650

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/02/2013 at 07:56

I'm not sure if the pint pulling is his way of trying to say 'Look, I'm a blokey bloke' or it's one of the governments more expensive job training schemes post 2015.

timespassing
27/02/2013 at 17:01

But he does work - running around banging on about his super-hospital. Posing at every staged opportunity he can set up, including the recent one about him meeting people on doorsteps (all Tory helpers). Pulling pints in pubs (see last about staged).

The poor chap is rushed of his little feet.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
27/02/2013 at 16:27

Wouldn't mind the man bleating if he actually did any work!!

If anything he owes money for certainly under performing

The voice of reason
27/02/2013 at 12:15

Were you to put yourself forward to fill the vacuum for representation that has existed since the blight of Dr Lee was foisted on us Win, would you be prepared to publish monthly expenses in a clear and transparent way or would I need to come round with the pliers and matchsticks as is still needed at Westminster?

timespassing
26/02/2013 at 19:51

Couldn't agree with you more - our current MP is a case in point. A recent Twitter spat saw him accuse me of misrepresenting his views. When I backed up my assertions with links and sources he went curiously quiet. He says something to maintain credibility with Tory HQ, thinking we won't notice - then when his thoughts turn out to be at odds with the ordinary punter he denies he ever said a word.

We suffer under a political clique of all hues who espouse ideology camouflaged as policy, when what is needed is common sense and coherent strategy free of political baggage.

Winstanley, Bracknell
25/02/2013 at 22:05

Oh for a coalition of the Heseltines and Benns of this world. I may not agree with all their ideas but they knew the meaning of integrity and honesty.

Can you imagine a dinner party with those two on the invite list?

timespassing
25/02/2013 at 20:15

I come at it from the opposite spectrum timespassing. Being in opposition is more than just losing an election. Being an effective opposition is just as important as forming a government. But where is the opposition?

I was genuinely stunned the other night to hear Michael Heseltine on QT. If we had Tories with half his passion, empathy, intelligence, and respect for citizens then this country would be a lot better off.

Instead we have these careerists on all sides with no seeming genuine desire to serve. A big club of likeminded berks without the faintest clue what they are wreaking on the ordinary person.