IT MAY be an anomaly that those running the country - Premier Tony Blair and government ministers - are each paid less than the chief executive of a single London borough.

But, in announcing he would forgo a 40 per cent, or £40,000-plus, pay rise next year, and putting the onus on ministers to follow suit Mr Blair is evidently aware that the business they are in is not just governance, but politics.

And, with his deft touch for feeling the public pulse, Mr Blair is plainly dodging a political pitfall.

For the government is preaching three per cent restraint to five million public-sector workers, many of whom are now pressing for inflation-busting pay awards of 10 and 20 per cent.

In those circumstances, and it would only be hypocrisy for the Cabinet to accept increases of that order themselves.

It may be true that according to their responsibilities, and compared to the pay leaders of industry or big business receive, they deserve more, but they must lead by example.

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