MPs should denounce the benefits and pensions they get on leaving parliament, if they don't support parachute payments for councillors, a member of the Councillors' Commission has claimed. Managing director of Ipsos Mori Ben Page's comments came after shadow local government minister, Eric Pickles, dismissed the payments, claiming ‘residents will be outraged'. Mr Page said: ‘I do hope he will not take the rather more generous package provided to parliamentarians if he loses an election, and while he's at it, he might feel that his pension would cost the nation rather a lot too.' Mr Pickles' comments are likely to infuriate Tory councillors, and create a rift between central and local conservatives. The parachute payments were also dismissed by communities secretary, Hazel Blears, at the launch of the commission's report. Ms Blears' said: ‘I believe we can give better support and get better local representation from councillors without imposing major new financial burdens on local taxpayers.' Ms Blears welcomed plans for young mayors, and to claw back allowances from failing councillors. She was also keen to consider incentives for voting and find ways for political parties to tackle equality. However, she dismissed the parachute payments, and for ‘reserve councillors' to stand in instead of by-elections. The secretary of state agreed extra administration and communications support was needed for councillors, but warned much could be done without extra cash.
