PRESS RELEASE: Islington Lib Dems demand Emily Thornberry votes against disability benefits cuts, as rebellion brews
Our recent press release demands that, as rebellion brews, Emily Thornberry must vote against cuts to disability benefits:
Islington’s Liberal Democrats have demanded Islington South & Finsbury’s Labour MP votes against the Government’s planned cuts to disability benefits if there is one.
The Lib Dems said that the cuts would “punish some of the most vulnerable in our society” and that if Emily Thornberry voted for them they risked “ripping away vital support for people with a disability.”
It comes as the news has been reported that more than 100 Labour MPs have privately signed a letter to Labour’s Chief Whip expressing concerns over the cuts.
Under the Labour government's plans, the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would be made stricter, and Universal Credit could also be reduced.
Liberal Democrat MPs will not be supporting the Government and Islington’s Lib Dems urge Emily Thornberry to publicly say she is against the cuts.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Islington, Kate Pothalingam said:
“Emily Thornberry needs to do what she knows is right and, if given the chance, vote against these awful cuts which will punish some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
“To fall in line and help push these cuts through, Emily Thornberry risks ripping away vital support for people with a disability and undermining their own stated goal to get more people into work.”
“People here in Islington South & Finsbury deserve an MP who knows what is right for people in our area and that will stand up for those who are in desperate need of support. Backing these cuts would be nodding through Government policies even in the knowledge they could be devastating.”
“These cuts will punish disabled people - both those who cannot work and those who need this support to stay in work. It is time for Emily Thornberry to show some backbone and commit to voting against these cuts.”
ENDS