Originally in the UK, the birthplace of modern democracy, the “wig” party were unpaid aristocrats running the country unpaid for egalitarian reasons.

The lower classes didn’t like this, so the birth of the trade unions allowed early left wing politicians to be funded.

Eventually rules were passed that allowed the paying of politicians, so social class was no longer a barrier.

Politicians are paid reasonably well compared to the average worker, but if you are interested in money, then business offers far greater financial reward.

So now we are run by a mixture of average people seeking power and successful business people who have made their money and are seeking other challenges.

The problem for wealthy politicians is that business is an autocracy, politics is a democracy.

Politicians main job is keeping their job, their second job is being seen to do a job and their third job is doing something worthwhile.

I’m not sure paying more would do much, because the public purse can never match the potential rewards of private industry.