Opposition leader Joseph Muscat yesterday announced that a Labour government would revise the current parliamentary situation and would tie politicians’ honoraria with their attendance in parliament.

We have said our piece on the utility bills, and while the intention seems good, the plan seems to be somewhat lacking and needs to be developed and explained further. But this – the proposal to tie MP’s honoraria to attendance – is doable, positive and gives a sense of social justice.

One of the issues that raised the ire of people the most during the last legislature was the fact that the Government hiked up MP’s honoraria and did it retroactively at a time when utility bills shot up. What was even more irritating was that it emerged later that there was tacit agreement to do so by the Labour Party.

All the while, people knew, and still know, that most MPs either do not bother turning up for sittings (unless there is a vote) or just clock in and clock out after five minutes. This sort of behaviour is disrespectful towards the very same people that voted people in and gave them a seat in our parliament. It is just plain wrong.

MPs will argue that they are only ‘in the job’ on a part time basis. This is true. But it sure is a well paid part time job if you either don’t turn up or just attend a sitting for five minutes, when the honoraria issued are more than what  a good chunk of people take home at the end of every month.

So yes, this is a valid, and good proposal. People, as we have said many times in the past, want value for money. And that also holds true with the people they represent them in parliament. They say that people get what they deserve, and in many ways it is true, it is us that put politicians there. But at the same time, we are to expect that they will at least attend parliament and do their bit for us. After all, they are our elected representatives and are supposed to be there to defend our interests as voters, constituents and members of the general public.

This newspaper had carried out an exercise to document parliamentary attendance back in early 2012 and the results were frightening. We make it clear – not all MPs are the same. Some are almost ever present and take their role very seriously. But others are just there on the bandwagon, to use their seat as a springboard for personal aspirations. They are human, and all humans are materialistic. Therefore the PL proposal makes sense and it is a welcome one. If anything, the PN should make a pledge to do the same. MPs are elected for a reason and people want to see results. If they do not attend parliamentary sittings, then they should not be paid – just like anyone else.