Stoke-on-Trent's new Labour MP accused of 'lack of backbone' as winter fuel photo emerges

Gareth Snell
-Credit: (Image: (Image: X))


Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell has been accused of a "severe lack of principle and backbone" after an image surfaced showing him vowing to oppose the scrapping of winter fuel payments.

In the lead-up to the 2017 General Election, Mr Snell was photographed holding a placard stating: "If re-elected I promise to vote against the dementia tax, the cutting of the winter fuel allowance and commit to protect the pensions triple lock."

However, in a recent Commons vote, Mr Snell was one of the 348 Labour MPs who supported the contentious policy. The photo has resurfaced on social media following the pivotal vote, as Sir Keir Starmer faces growing scrutiny, reports the Express.

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Outspoken ex-Tory deputy chairman and former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said: "Mr Snell's dramatic U-turn shows a severe lack of principle and backbone."

He added: "It is both cruel and callous to scrap the winter fuel payment from 47,500 pensioners across Stoke-on-Trent, who sadly live in one of Britain's most deprived communities."

Gareth Snell
Gareth Snell was pictured with the sign at the 2017 General Election -Credit:(Image: X)

Mr Gullis continued: "Labour's own impact assessment back in 2017 said cutting the winter fuel payment could kill around 4,000 pensioners."

He condemned Mr Snell's actions by saying: "It's disgusting that Mr Snell broke his 'promise' and voted to risk pensioners' lives this winter."

Despite opposition, the Prime Minister managed to push through the change, limiting winter fuel payments exclusively to those receiving pension credit. The plan was approved in the Commons on Tuesday, with only one Labour rebel voting against it. However, a significant number of MPs from the government side were noticeably absent.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have maintained that this change is necessary to fill a £22billion gap in public finances left by the Tories, a claim which the Conservatives have refuted.

Mr Snell told StokeonTrentLive: "The promise I made and kept in 2017 is simply not possible now. The seven years since that promise was made has seen unpredictable economic chaos from four Prime Ministers and 6 Chancellors whose collective actions have left us with a £22bn black hole in the budget.

"Targeting support to the most in need pensioners was the right thing to do, as was extending the Household support fund and reconfirming the Warm Home discount for those pensioners who just miss out.

"But thousands of families in Stoke-on-Trent live in fuel poverty and were completely ineligible for winter fuel allowance - disabled people, low income families with children and those who live in cold, drafty homes and if we have to target support I would rather we help those genuinely in need.

"Wherever poverty manifests, the Labour Government will work to end it. But that job is made more difficult because of the economic crash caused by Liz Truss and the wreckless actions of the Conservatives."

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