Swansea disability group call for public meeting with Labour MPs over proposed benefit cuts

Swansea DPAC say they are not happy with the response they have received from local Labour MPs Tonia Antoniazzi, Carolyn Harris and Torsten Bell.

A spokesperson for Swansea DPAC said, “It’s like this everywhere in the country. Disabled people are trying to contact their Labour MPs about proposed disability cuts. At best, we get a ‘copy and paste’ standard letter with no engagement on any points raised. In Gower, most of us don’t even receive that. It’s obviously an order right from the top. It’s surreal.”

“We can’t get an answer. We also have serious concerns with the so-called ‘consultation’ process itself, and we do not have confidence that it will properly take our views into account. How can it be that there is one, and only one, public consultation meeting for the whole of Wales, and the most important proposals are entirely off the table for discussion?”

Swansea DPAC say they have written to their MPs, demanding a public debate, and have asked Labour-affiliated trade unions to instruct the three Swansea Labour MPs to attend.

The open letter says Swansea DPAC are “fighting against the brutal government attacks on the living conditions of disabled people and carers,” adding that “the government’s proposals go even further than the Tory plans, and have been overwhelmingly condemned by trade unions, charities, carers, and disabled peoples’ organisations.”

They are calling on the unions and the public to sign a letter calling for the three MPs to hold a public debate.

The group say that they are particularly keen to publicly debate Swansea West MP, Torsten Bell, who has defended the cuts on BBC’s Newsnight as a DWP minister, and who the group claim has “been quite rude”.

The Swansea DPAC spokesperson said about Torsten Bell: “From his keyboard, he has called disabled people “keyboard warriors” and a “burden”. We would like a “right of reply” – in person!”

The Swansea DPAC spokesperson added: “Instead of being talked about on TV, all we want is a fair debate, in public.” 

Swansea East and Neath MP, Carolyn Harris responded to Swansea Bay News saying the she “has or will be responding to all constituents who contacted regarding this issue, but a public meeting is problematic because of security issues”. 

A spokesperson for Swansea West MP, Torsten Bell told Swansea Bay News: “Torsten has been speaking to constituents concerned about the Government’s welfare reforms since the changes were announced in March. This is both on an individual basis at his regular surgeries, as well as meeting with disabled groups in Swansea West. Torsten continues to urge constituents who have been affected or concerned to get in touch with his office at torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk as he is more than happy to talk about this issue further. ”