AHEAD of a vote in Parliament this week, the Leader of Thurrock Council Conservative group, Cllr Andrew Jefferies, has repeated his call for the local Labour MP Jen Craft to vote in support of keeping Winter Fuel Allowance for all pensioners.
MPs will get a say this Tuesday on whether to support or oppose the Labour Government’s plans to strip Winter Fuel Allowance from millions of pensioners.
Councillor Jefferies publicly wrote to Jen Craft on 21st August calling on her to oppose the plans in Parliament and to join the cross-party movement which opposes the removal of universal Winter Fuel Allowance payments. He said “I am disappointed not to have had the courtesy of a reply to my letter, but I sincerely hope that Jen Craft will stand up for all pensioners in Thurrock who look set to lose out if the Government gets its way. She can send a clear message on Tuesday and if enough Labour MPs join with those from other parties, including the Conservatives, the Government could be defeated. Thurrock needs an independently minded MP and I hope Jen Craft does the right thing and supports her elderly constituents, not cave in to her party bosses who will be safe and warm this winter.
“Energy bills will increase by an average of 10% next month on top of previous hikes. It is inconceivable that pensioners should be hit harder at a time like this by removing their Winter Fuel payments and it will force many who are in no way wealthy to choose between heating or eating. Jen Craft can do the right thing on Tuesday by voting against the Government”.
