Despite the bedroom tax coming into effect, Labour will continue to fight for fairness

On Monday 1st April David Cameron continued to demonstrate the true nature of his government.  In a stark illustration of who comes first under the Conservatives, the bedroom tax came into effect while thousands of millionaires get a tax cut of £100,000 a year.  It has the hallmarks of a bad April Fool’s joke – but the only ones laughing live in mansions and earn a fortune.

On Monday 1st April David Cameron continued to demonstrate the true nature of his government.  In a stark illustration of who comes first under the Conservatives, the bedroom tax came into effect while thousands of millionaires get a tax cut of £100,000 a year.  It has the hallmarks of a bad April Fool’s joke – but the only ones laughing live in mansions and earn a fortune.

The Conservatives like to say they’re going after the skivers.  It’s a good smokescreen.  In reality, this regressive and unfair policy will hit working people (140,000 working households on the lowest incomes will lose out) and some of the most vulnerable in society – two thirds of the households that are hit are homes to someone with a disability. 

There aren’t even enough smaller properties for tenants to move into – so if families are made homeless (a tragedy in itself), or are pushed into expensive private rented accommodation, the policy could cost a lot more than it saves.

By far the best way to bring down the benefits bill – which we agree is too high – is to get people into jobs.  Labour’s plan for a tough – but fair – Compulsory Jobs Guarantee would offer anyone who has been out of work for two years a job.  Welfare reform that is fair as well as tough is what is required.  Instead, we’re getting divisive, nasty and misleading smears from an out of touch, unfair and incompetent government that is out of ideas.

This government is a government that specialises in divide and rule.  We’ve seen them try to turn private sector employees against public sector employees – and now they continue to try to turn people against welfare recipients.  To the cameras, Cameron says “we’re all in this together” – but his policies (supported by South Swindon’s Conservative MP, Robert Buckland) tell a different story.

This is why we took part in one of many protests across the country here in Swindon last weekend.  Our candidate for the 2015 General Election, Anne Snelgrove, spoke to 50 or so members of the public – many of whom are in some way affected by Cameron’s latest attack on the poorest and most vulnerable in society.  You can see some of Anne’s remarks in the video above.  

Despite the bedroom tax coming into effect, the Labour Party – nationally and locally – will continue to fight for fairness.