The Liberal Democrats who voted to uphold cruelty.

Upon appointment as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was given this 3,500-acre, 115 roomed estate at Chevening, to live in for free.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Author: Dhowes9.

The growing litany of horror stories from those suffering horrendously as a result of the Bedroom Tax did not concern Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament today. The suicides, the misery felt by those with disabled family members, and caused by the Bedroom Tax did not concern Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament today. The charities that are fighting an uphill battle to protect the most vulnerable from the cruelty of the Bedroom Tax….

“This policy will have a hugely detrimental impact on disabled people and their families. For example, family carers who care full-time, or who juggle work and care, may need to sleep in another room just to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.”
– Mencap.

“In the six months since the bedroom tax and other welfare cuts became a reality, life has become tougher for thousands of households in Scotland. For those people affected, the bedroom tax lurks like a monster in their home and we need to do something about it.”
– Shelter.

… did not concern Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament today. The grassroots Lib Dem membership that opposes the Bedroom Tax, did not concern Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament today. Through it all, thirty-one Liberal Democrat MPs completely disregarded the most vulnerable, charities up and down the country, and their own Party members, just to side with Conservatives to perpetuate the Bedroom Tax.

It is difficult to view the Bedroom Tax as anything but the nastiest, right winged law in a very long time. A law that was only kept possible today, by thirty-one Liberal Democrat MPs. Here is the list of those Lib Dems who voted against repeal. If you’re in one of their constituencies – or even if you’re not – and you’re suffering tremendously because of the law these people have just forced upon you, their Twitter or Contact pages are included below. Liberal Democrat wall of shame:

David Heath (Somerton & Frome) – Twitter.
Norman Baker (Lewes) – Contact.
Lorely Burt (Solihull) – Twitter.
Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) – Contact.
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington) – Twitter.
Jeremy Browne (Taunton Deane) – Contact.
Norman Lamb (Norfolk North) – Twitter.
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) – Twitter.
John Pugh (Southport) – Twitter.
Jo Swinson (Dunbartonshire East) – Twitter.
Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam) – Twitter.
Sir Menzies Campbell (Fife North East) – Contact.
Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland) – Contact.
Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton) – Twitter.
Don Foster (Bath) – Contact.
Stephen Gilbert (St Austell & Newquay) – Twitter.
Duncan Hames (Chippenham) – Twitter.
Sir Nick Harvey (Devon North) – Contact.
John Hemming (Birmingham Yardley) – Contact.
Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) – Twitter.
Simon Hughes (Bermondsey & Old Southwark) – Contact.
Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk) – Twitter.
Tessa Munt (Wells) – Twitter.
Dan Rogerson (Cornwall North) – Contact.
Bob Russell (Colchester) – Contact.
Sir Robert Smith (Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine) – Contact.
Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) – Contact.
John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) – Contact.
Steve Webb (Thornbury & Yate) – Twitter.
Mark Hunter (Cheadle) – Contact.
Stephen Williams (Bristol West) – Twitter

On a side note, Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams had a lovely day today. Not only did he get to vote to perpetuate a system that lead directly to the suicide of Stephanie Bottrill, and immiserates thousands more…. he got to eat Mulled Wine flavoured chocolate! Hurrah!

And there can’t be a serious debate that directly affects people’s ability to actually afford to live, without a Tory MP laughing gleefully after hearing horror stories and being told he’s voting to cut the safety net for the most vulnerable. Today, that particular Tory whimsy was brought to us by Stephen Mosley MP (City of Chester):

History will judge this cruel policy for exactly what it is. A very right winged ideological and senseless attack on the most vulnerable people in Britain, at a time of economic struggle, and disproportionately affecting those with disabilities. We know this is what Conservatives do. They have never and will never register concern for the vulnerable. But for Liberal Democrats to continue to support it, represents what must be the final nail in the coffin of progressivism in the Lib Dem morgue. They no longer get the privilege of referring to themselves as progressives. They no longer get the privilege of moving the “keeping government anchored to the centre” goalposts every time they vote for incredibly right winged market fundamentalist policies that do nothing but harm the poorest. The Liberal Democrats are the Conservative Party, and vice versa. This must be remembered in 2015.

For my article on the human cost of the Bedroom tax, see here.