Disabled activists delivered a strong warning to Labour MPs at a rally outside Parliament, urging them not to vote for cuts to disability benefits. Ellen Clifford, lead organizer of the protest, emphasized that disabled people will fiercely fight against these cuts and won’t forgive MPs who support them. The activists’ message was clear: any MP backing the cuts will face severe opposition.
Key Demands and Concerns:
- No Cuts to Disability Benefits: Activists are fighting against the proposed £5 billion cut to disability benefits, which could push hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
- Impact on Vulnerable Individuals: The cuts would disproportionately affect people who are already struggling to survive, potentially leading to deaths and increased poverty.
- Lack of Consultation: Disability Rights UK’s Fazilet Hadi dismissed government claims of co-producing policy with disabled people, stating that proper consultation never occurred.
Rebellion Against the Cuts:
- Over 100 Labour MPs are preparing to rebel against the government’s Welfare Reform Bill, which could cut support for up to 1 million disabled people.
- 42 Labour MPs have already signed a letter stating that the proposed cuts are “impossible to support”, citing concerns about poverty, health inequality, and increased demand for health and social care.
- Some MPs, including Chris Hinchliff, have vowed to vote against the measures if brought before Parliament.
Activists’ Determination:
- Paula Peters from Disabled People Against Cuts declared, “The gloves come off. We turn our anger into action and we will not back down.”
- Joy Dove, whose daughter died after her benefits were wrongly withdrawn, emotionally spoke about the damage these policies cause and warned that more people could die if benefits are cut.
- Dr. Natasha Hirst urged MPs to listen to disabled voters and target those who can afford to pay, not those who cannot.
