By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor
Spare a thought for National deputy leader Roger Sowry's bank balance.
As if it wasn't bad enough being thrashed in the Otaki seat by Parliament's youngest MP, Darren Hughes, Bill English's deputy has had his pay cut by almost $20,000 a year because of his party's poor showing.
The Higher Salaries Commission, which sets MPs' pay, has determined that a party must have at least 35 MPs to qualify for a deputy leader's pay packet.
National's poor showing at the election produced a drop in its numbers from 39 to 27.
In the last Parliament, Mr Sowry's base pay was $110,300.
But on a standard backbencher's salary, he will pocket just $90,500 a year - the same as newly elected MPs and even caucus rebel Maurice Williamson, who is now ranked 27 out of 27.
Mr Sowry also loses a special deputy leader's expenses allowance of $2000 a year.
To add insult to injury, unless Mr Sowry is given a select committee chair, other lesser lights in National will receive much more than him.
Because the party still has more than 25 MPs, it qualifies for a junior whip's salary, so $102,900 goes to Lindsay Tisch.
Senior whip John Carter gets a base salary of about $112,000.
Tamaki MP Clem Simich, National's nomination for assistant speaker, will be on $98,200 a year if he is successful.
Pay cut Sowry's final affront
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