Friday, 5 September 2014

Bedroom Tax Vote Highlights Need for Independence

The Scottish National Party has said today’s vote in the House of Commons against the Bedroom Tax highlights the need for independence.

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said that while the vote was a defeat for the UK government, it won’t end the Bedroom Tax.

The Scottish Government has already provided funding to protect those hit by the tax in Scotland.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“This vote demonstrates exactly why we need independence.

“This was a defeat for the UK government but it doesn’t end the Bedroom Tax which has caused misery for so many people.

“Every single Scottish MP could vote against the Bedroom Tax and we would still be faced with it because we can be outvoted by Tory votes from the south.

“Labour’s hypocrisy on this issue is simply breathtaking – every single one of their Scottish MPs is working hand in glove in the No campaign with the Tory Government who have given us the Bedroom Tax in the first place.

“Labour seem more interested in playing tribal party politics than in giving Scotland the powers to scrap the Bedroom Tax once and for all. The SNP have already voted to end the Bedroom Tax – a vote which Labour failed to turn up for.

“Independence will mean we never again have to put up with policies like the Bedroom Tax, the Poll Tax and Trident imposed by Tory Governments we didn’t elect.

“We will take no lectures from Scottish Labour MPs who are joined at the hip with their Tory friends to try and prevent Scotland governing itself.”