Sir Mel Stride

Sir Mel Stride

Conservative — Central Devon

Speaking in the House of Commons on 10 September 2024

Debate

Winter Fuel Payment

Contribution

I am sure that those on the Government Front Bench will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s intervention. The reality is that the Government want to rush this through so that they can blame it on their predecessor and avoid proper scrutiny. There is no need whatsoever for the haste with which this is being done, other than to meet the political ends of the Labour party. They are ripping the plaster off and hoping that the country will have forgotten by the time of the next general election. That is at the heart of it, but we will not forget. We would not have been given the opportunity to debate and vote on this measure without significant pressure from the Opposition and the wider public. This is nothing to do with fiscal responsibility and everything to do with political expediency—no scrutiny, no impact assessment, no notice. This is an appalling way to govern.

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