Tag: Westminster

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NEWS: Erdington MP goes against party line with ‘no vote recorded’ on motion to block cuts to winter fuel allowance

Words by Ed King

According to official Westminster sources, Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton has ‘no vote recorded’ over the plans to block contentious cuts to the winter fuel allowance – which would affect approximately 10 million pensioners across the UK.

After a motion to annul the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 was brought to the House by the Conservative Party, all Labour MPs were expected to follow the party line and support the proposed cuts – with a vote against the motion to be held on Tuesday 10 September.

But with ‘no vote recorded’ against Ms Hamilton after a heated debate and subsequent ballot in the House of Commons earlier today, this makes the Erdington MP one of 53 Labour MPs across the country who did not succumb to the party whip.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement in July that a £22bn “black hole” in public finances would see the winter fuel allowance become means tested, the proposed cuts received significant backslash – with many arguing it would put the burden of the country’s finances on the most vulnerable, instead of addressing tax reforms to recoup the deficit.

Looking to push through the changes without a vote in the House, Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer had previously suspended seven ‘rebel’ MPs who initially stood against the Government on the two-child benefit cap – showing a hard line approach to any internal party opposition.

However, following a challenge from the Conservatives to scrap the proposed cuts a vote was scheduled for Tuesday 10 September – with 348 MPs voting against the motion to annul the changes, and 228 backing it.

72 MPs were identified as having ‘no vote recorded’, effectively abstaining from the vote, 52 of which were Labour Members of Parliament – going directly against the Government’s calls for party unity on the issue.

Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, Jon Trickett, voted in favour of the motion to annul the Government’s proposals to the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment.

Other Midlands MPs with ‘no vote recorded’ in the Commons today are Tahir Ali (Hall Green and Moseley, Labour), Cat Eccles (Stourbridge, Labour), and Sarah Edwards (Tamworth, Labour).

In statement to Erdington Local, Ms Hamilton MP told: “I recognise concerns about the recent changes the Chancellor has made to the Winter Fuel Payments Scheme and that’s why I met with Age UK in July to hear about these directly.

“The new Government is having to make really tough decisions, after our economy was wrecked by the last Government, who left a £22bn black hole in the public finances.”

She added: “I know that people in Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott will be feeling worried about this decision, especially in the run up to winter and I want to assure them that I will continue to put pressure on people in my party to protect the most vulnerable in society and explore alternative means through which to reduce the deficit.”

Birmingham Conservatives Leader and Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden told: “This decision by the Labour Government will be devastating for thousands of pensioners across Erdington Constituency.

“It is estimated that over 11,000 pensioners in Erdington Constituency and over 117,000 across the City of Birmingham, will have their winter fuel allowance removed just as the cold weather approaches.

“Labour has, for years, said these payments were vital for saving lives, yet within weeks of being elected they are slashing these very payments.”

Cllr Alden added: “The reality is this cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance is a direct attack on low income pensioners across Erdington and Birmingham. Labour is forcing them to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table – which Labour’s own research has said will potentially kill 4000 people.

“This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s cruel and unnecessary and Labour MPs should have backed the Conservative oppositions motion to stop these cuts.”

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NEWS: Hundreds attend Jack Dromey’s funeral at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster

Words by Ed King / Pics by Michelle Martin

“A gentle but passionate man, who existed to change things for the better.”

Hundreds of people gathered at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster on Monday, 31 January, to say their goodbyes to Erdington’s well loved MP, Jack Dromey.

Braving the tail end winds of Storms Malik and Corrie, people from across the political divide joined Mr Dromey’s family, friends, colleagues, and constituents – with recognised faces from the halls of power, from Sir Keir Starmer to Jacob Rees-Mogg, in attendance.

Nestled into the 12th century church in the political heart of London, next to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, a full house congregation came to pay their respects to the Brent born and Birmingham adopted Jack Dromey – a man who had spent a lifetime fighting injustice and inequality, first as a trade unionist and then an MP.

The service was conducted by The Venerable Patricia Hillas, the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons who was appointed by the Queen to serve as a Canon of Westminster in April 2021. Songs and hymns were sung by St Margaret’s Consort, conducted by Greg Morris.

Opening with selected passages from the Bible, including John11: 25-26 ‘I am the resurrection and the life…’, the Westminster priest began by remembering the “passionate and generous” man that had served as Erdington’s MP since 2010.

Hillas went on to talk about Jack Dromey’s “broad reach” and willingness to cross the boundaries of faith and politics if it was “for the good of all” – a sentiment that would be reiterated throughout the service.

Following the opening hymn, ‘Abide with Me’, family memories were first offered by his son, Harry, remembering, with sadness and humour, his father’s love for his grandchildren and generosity – the long lockdown walks with his grandson, who would bounce back into the family home “as if he’d just been to Disneyland.”

Sir Tony Blair was the first of two former Prime Ministers to pay tribute to Jack Dromey, reading Isiah 58: 6-12, recalling the Lord’s cry to “share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house,” – attributes reflecting the man today’s mourners have lost.

Jack’s daughter, Amy, then read passages from her mother’s book, A Woman’s Work’, talking about when the young solicitor and trade unionist first me – before telling of the positive impact her father had on her own life.

Gordon Brown was next to address the congregation, praising his tremendous campaigning achievements and reflecting how Jack as the life and soul of “work events, as they’re now called” – receiving a  warm wave of laughter – before citing Jack’s understanding of the necessary balance of power and principals. The front rows of

William Blake’s Jerusalem was next on the order of service, before Joe Dromey took to the pulpit in a heartfelt recollection of the tributes that came flooding in after the shock news of his father’s death.

At points fighting back tears, Joe spoke of condolences from across the political spectrum – including a profound message from Guy Opperman, the Conservative pensions minister Jack shadowed in Parliament, who referred his counter across the aisle as “a gentle but passionate man, who existed to change things for the better.”

This, affirmed Joe Dromey, “…sums up Jack perfectly. And I am honoured to call him my dad.”

The service was brought to a close with further prayers and passages from the Bible, including a reading from Father Simon Ellis of St Margaret Mary’s Church in Perry Common – before Jack Dromey’s coffin, a simple wicker casket adorend with a wreath of red roses, was taken out of the church to be laid to rest.

Mr Dromey was found dead at his constituency residence, Highcroft Villas in Erdington, on Friday 7 January – survived by his wife Harriet, his sons Joe and Harry, his daughter Amy, and his grandchildren.

For more on Jack Dromey visit www.jackdromey.co.uk