MP fails to persuade Tories to take cut

Lib Dem MP for Lewes Norman Baker wrote to senior cabinet members of Tory-run East Sussex County Council in a bid to persuade them to accept a five per cent cut in their special responsibility allowances.

He said the gesture would "reflect the sacrifices government ministers are being asked to make".

Leader of Rother District Council Carl Maynard, of Brede Valley ward, is the only local councillor who sits on ESCC's Cabinet, with responsibility for economic development.

He rejected Mr Baker's comments as "wholly unacceptable", saying the letter overstepped the role of a government minister.

"Norman Baker has always been an MP who has never been shy to be in the public eye," said Cllr Maynard, who as a member of ESCC's Cabinet will receive a special responsibility allowance of 14,452 for 2010/11.

"But he's not discussing transport here. He's a government minister and I don't believe this is government policy. For a minister of the realm to speak outside his portfolio is wholly unacceptable.

"That said we take the issue of allowances extremely seriously. But he's behaving as if he's a backbench MP, and he's not.

As transport minister, Mr Baker recently took a five per cent pay cut along with all government ministers.

His letter, written this week, said: "Nationally, we are working together as partners in a coalition, and I would like to see the same kind of collaboration on a local level in East Sussex.

"If cuts are to be made to frontline services, then elected members must share the burden and accept a small reduction in their allowances."

After rejecting the idea, Cllr Maynard hit back: "If he gave Rother the assurance it really wants about the link road we would listen, but he's been notably quiet on that front."