Matthew Lesh

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Lesh, a policy fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs and a country manager at Freshwater Strategy, tackles the provocative topic of political salaries. He argues that competitive pay is essential for attracting talented individuals to politics, especially as figures like Keir Starmer's chief of staff earn more than the Prime Minister. Lesh also highlights the potential impact of salaries on diversity and representation in politics, questioning whether current compensation structures dissuade capable candidates from poorer backgrounds.