Yesterday evening, 17th October 2024, the Medway Labour and Co-Operative Group failed to stand up for pensioners, who are set to lose their winter fuel allowance, following a recent decision taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. Instead, Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Murray, moved an amendment, which failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, and instead focused on old political attack lines and a lack of acknowledgement of the truth. The most shocking part of the amendment was the removal of the criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, which sought the Council to note that there is significant social injustice and potential health risks posed by the sudden policy change.
Councillors Wildey, Tejan, Lammas, Lawrence and Gulvin, spoke passionately about protecting the winter fuel, pointing out the implications of the decision, including the potential of pensioners having to chose between heating and eating. Cllr Tejan demonstrated the potential implications of the change on the Council itself, and adding additional pressure on public services, disproportionately impacting those that are already struggling the most.
The Medway Conservatives are committed to fighting this change all the way, and residents are encouraged to sign a petition, which will go to the Chancellor detailing these concerns. The Group has also raised two separate Members Items to Overview and Scrutiny Committees of the Council, one next week focused on the potential welfare implications, and another in December focused on the potential implications to the Council's health and social care department.
Residents can sign the Medway Conservative petition by visiting: https://medwayconservativegroup.org.uk/winterfuel
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr George Perfect, Leader of the Opposition, said the following:
The Medway Labour and Co-Operative Group should be ashamed of their behaviour last night. Our motion sought to ensure that the Council voiced its support for pensioners and some of the most vulnerable within our community. Instead of debating the matter with sincerity and respect, Labour decided to resort to their usual behaviour of playing politics.
The people of Medway see through this behaviour, and under my leadership, the Medway Conservatives will always stand up for pensioners right across our five towns and surrounding villages.
I would encourage residents to fill in our petition ahead of the Budget at the end of the month, so the Leader of HM Opposition and the Shadow Chancellor can make a fresh case to the Government.
Cllr David Wildey, Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Adult's Services, who moved the motion, responding during the meeting to the amendment, stated as follows:
Not one of the Labour Group stood up for pensioners. I notice some of your Members of Parliament are missing - are they too ashamed to turn up tonight! I did ask the MPs that if they are proud of this decision, if so, they should say so!
This is truly shocking.
