UK Overseas Territories Minister Quits Position
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office Minister – the Minister responsible for British Overseas Territories such as Bermuda – quit his post recently, citing a salary that could not cover the costs of living with his children in London.
Mark Simmonds, the Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire, resigned while reportedly complaining that his salary and expenses allowance, totaling almost £120,000 [$200,588] annually, was not enough to cover the cost of a Westminster flat for him and his family.
Conservative backbencher James Durridge has been appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron to fill Simmonds’ role.
UK Minister Mark Simmonds during a visit to Bermuda in April 2013:
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, “Mr Simmonds, who says he stays in a hotel while in London, said he was not suggesting a return to the former expenses regime, which was widely abused, but believed that the pendulum had swung too far ‘the other way’ since the expenses scandal.
“He claimed there were other MPs in a similar position to him who were ‘reluctant’ to talk because they feared being attacked as ‘greedy’.
“He denied there was any link with Baroness Warsi’s decision to quit as a Foreign Office minister last week in a disagreement over Gaza policy, but his resignation has increased the sense of disarray at the heart of government as the Iraq crisis deepens.
“The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which oversees MPs’ expenses, said it was ‘awake to the impact on family life’ for MPs who have to live in two locations.”
I am more than sure if this was a Bermudian MP crying the comments would have been in the hundreds. This man is making $200K come on live within your means.
He is living within his means. That’s the whole point.
Obviously you’ve never tried to make a living in a place where 50% of your salary goes in income tax.
And yet there is a sizeable portion of our society that wishes such levels of taxation are introduced to our alredy expensive cost of living.
Absolutely amazing.
Get rid of the maid/nanny, cable channels, golf membership, gym membership, stop eating out and purchasing them expensive wine which taste crappy by the way… Oh and send your children to public school. That should bring down the cost for you… Maybe your wife should also get a job… Thought I’d help you out a little with getting your expenses on track.
Jeez…..I’d love to have a six figure salary. 1st World problems.
Why don’t Bermuda’s Politicians use their one term to network and find a better paying job like Tory MP Mark Simmons and then move on to free up the space for someone who actually wishes to work for the Public?
Instead our Politicians sit there Term after Term after 5-year Term, flip flopping between UBP, BDA, OBA & PLP and really doing nothing to advance the national interests of Bermuda or Bermudians.
Amazing…. £120,000 [$200,588] annually, was not enough to cover the cost of a Westminster flat for him and his family!!!
I will never live in London at those rates – what are the average wages over there??
London is one of the most expensive places in the world to live, combined with taxation rates that take a very sizable piece of that salary away before you get it. I know we now live in an age where class warfare has become hip, but the man has clearly made a decision based entirely on economics. Sometimes the sacrifice is worth bearing out if there’s an indication that there might be better opportunities ahead, but I guess this guy didn’t sense that.
This was my consideration as well the environment is only enjoyable if it is paletable, in any place it is the human condition to endure and not be aware of all that is….it becomes untenable when inflation overtakes your pay packet, an observarion I am sad to see has encroached this fellows position.However may it be said ;- I agree my family feels the pinch as well.Our govt. Hasan interest rate on imported goods that are untenable 75% of cost for the first 10,000$ ,then 150% on the remainder of the cost of a jeep wrangler ?……then…..then…..they have luxury tax on a mini cooper!The one vehicle we need on the road,it is small firstly,it is really good on fuel,and it is indiginous in that it is British…..I know how you feelm…..now can we have motorcycles above 150cc….rediculous!