Has Brown done the right thing over pay?

George Osborne’s referred to it as a “gesture” – which is almost certainly true.  But at least the announcement that ministers will give up their pay rise this year is the right kind of gesture.  As Brown said earlier, “MPs should set the example at a time of public sector pay restraint.”  Now all he’s got to do is convince the rest of the House of this before the 3rd July vote on salaries.

But, obviously, there’s a toxic background to all of this.  After all the disgraceful expense scandals of recent months, will the public really believe that ministers aren’t riding on the gravy train?