No Southwark MPs Commit to Voting Against “Unprecedented” Welfare Cuts

None of the 5 MPs covering Southwark have joined the 42 Labour MPs who have publicly committed to voting against the forthcoming cuts to welfare, which were branded “unprecedented” by anti-poverty and disability charities. 

The reforms are expected to be put to a vote in the House of Commons next month – and following growing outrage at the extent of the cuts, a number of Labour politicians, including some councils, have voiced their opposition.  

However, none of the 5 Labour MPs covering Southwark have added their name to the list of MPs set to rebel in the vote, and in March, the Leader of the Council refused to condemn the cuts. The MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, Neil Coyle MP, has defended the cuts, saying they would bring “huge benefits”. 

This is despite charities like Scope saying that the reforms will push disabled individuals and their families to the brink and be “catastrophic” for living standards, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation saying that the cuts are “unprecedented”.  

This also comes after the Southwark Liberal Democrats revealed the local extent of the impact – with 15,000 set to lose up to £5000 a year. 

Commenting, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader said:

“It’s astounding that none of our MPs are brave enough to put their constituents before party loyalty. These unprecedented cuts risk plunging thousands of residents here in Southwark into poverty. It’s just the latest let down from Labour – who people looked to for change but have been sorely betrayed.  

Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign against these cruel, unnecessary cuts, and stand up for the rights of disabled people to live with dignity and independence”.