IN 2015 I wrote a column for this site asking who our previous MP, Jackie Doyle-Price served. We never received a direct answer but, given how little she did for the constituency, I guess her actions spoke for her – she worked for whoever led her party and for her own advantage.
Now, ten years later I have to ask the same question of our new MP, Jen Craft.
I would’ve liked to have given her more time before voicing my doubts about Ms Craft but, given she is a new MP and representative of a political party that is being led, in my opinion, by a serial liar and corrupt authoritarian megalomaniac with absolutely no morals, no ideas and who only wants power for the sake of having it, I see no option but to turn up the heat as early as possible.
Labour swept to power on the promise of change and because the Tories had become so corrupt and despised that anyone could have won from just the ‘Get The Tories Out’ voters; however, the only thing Labour has delivered is continuity Tory policies and the promise of further austerity, the very thing that Labour was voted in to reverse. Labour’s proposed £5 billion worth of cuts to disability benefits and changes to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) threaten the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the country, the ability of those PIP claimants who work to remain in employment and will also take away the Carer’s Allowance of people who care for claimants who will lose PIP under the stricter eligibility criteria. Even Dr Death himself, Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory executioner-in-chief didn’t dare go as far as Dr Death tribute act Liz Kendall is preparing to go. Mr Kid Starver, Rachel from Accounts and Kendall seem happy enough to try to beat IDS’ death toll even though there are many other options open to them to not only make the savings they believe are needed but also bring in more money, one of which doesn’t even require tax hikes for anyone. The ultra Red Tory triumvirate, however, are unwilling to upset their rich donors and sources of freebies, having learned the art of absolute corruption from the last OG Tory administrations.
During last year’s General Election campaign, Ms Craft made a big show of her credentials of being a supporter of Disabled People’s Rights and has stood up in Parliament saying that she is lucky enough to be one of the 6-8% of people with a severe mental illness in employment so she should be opposing her party’s attack on the disabled and especially the PIP eligibility criteria changes that will predominantly affect people with mental ill-health.
I have written to Ms Craft on a number of occasions on the subject of the disability benefit cuts and eligibility criteria changes and, as yet, the replies I’ve received have not offered much in the way of an optimistic outcome with regards to her opposition to the proposals. This concerns me greatly. It also seems like someone who climbs the ladder and pulls it up after themself because they don’t need the ladder anymore.
The tide, however, is turning against this Tory B team administration for their lies and attacks on the welfare recipients which include pensioners because pensions and the associated payments like the Winter Fuel Allowance make up the greater percentage of the welfare bill (the DWP is the Department for Work and PENSIONS, after all). So now would be the best time to oppose the welfare cuts and be on the right side of history if only our elected representatives actually do their job and represent their constituents rather than blindly follow a leader who has only his own interests in mind. It will take courage to stand up for what is right and decent and compassionate and it may mean losing the whip temporarily or expulsion from the party but it may well preserve the reputation of whoever has the guts to do what’s right.
So, who do you serve, Jen Craft – your own career and party or your constituents?
I await your answer with interest.
Myles Cook, Grays.
