The disability groups say that Torsten has refused despite calls for a debate made in an open letter signed by over 200 people and organisations, including a national Labour-affiliated trade union. Each signatory instructed Labour MPs to meet with Disabled People Against Cuts and its allies.
The group is calling for a “right of reply” and a fair and respectful debate after claiming Torsten Bell called disabled critics a “burden” – something the MP has refuted. The group also claim that other Labour MPs have publicly compared disability benefits to “children’s pocket money”.
A spokesperson for Swansea DPAC said: “Torsten has declined on the basis that there are consultation events taking place. The consultation is one of the very issues we are most concerned about. How can this be a fair consultation when half of the proposals, the most important ones, are not up for discussion. There is one, and only one, public consultation event for the whole of Wales, with limited tickets. The organisers have failed to reply to disabled people asking about venue access requirements.”
”Given the insulting language and dodgy talking points being used by Labour MPs, it’s obvious they don’t understand disability, and are avoiding proper scrutiny. Torsten Bell MP could never defend his policies in a fair discussion with disabled people, and that’s why he is doing everything he can to avoid it.”
The spokesperson, who lives in Tonia Antionazzi’s Gower constituency continued: “Tonia Antioniazzi MP has respectfully agreed to meet us. Torsten Bell, a Swansea MP and a DWP minister, must do the same.”
“Swansea DPAC had to hear about Torsten’s refusal second-hand. He has ignored us completely from day one, and didn’t even show us the dignity of telling us ‘no’ himself. A so-called Labour MP acting this way must start an urgent debate about political representation for disabled and non-disabled workers, and disabled people in general.”
Strict parliamentary protocols say that MPs can only engage with their own constituents and not those from other areas. Swansea Bay News understands that this is the reason that Ms Antionazzi has agreed to meet with the group, rather than Mr Bell.
TSSA, a national Labour-affiliated trade union for workers in travel and transport, has supported Swansea DPAC’s demand for a fair debate with MPs.
Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary TSSA said: “The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) strongly opposes the government’s proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will negatively affect millions of people across the UK, including many of our own working members.
“PIP is not an “out of work benefit” and frankly, that distinction shouldn’t matter. It is a vital form of support that helps disabled people and those with long-term health conditions live with dignity and independence. Many of our members claim PIP while continuing to work in demanding roles across the transport industry, relying on this support to manage the additional costs that come with their conditions and to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
“This government is deliberately misrepresenting PIP in an attempt to pit the public against disabled people and deflect from its own economic. Let us be clear: ordinary people should not be made to pay for the failures and mismanagement of those in power.
“TSSA stands firmly with all those affected by these proposals, and we will continue to fight for a fair and compassionate welfare system that supports people, not punishes them.”
Speaking on BBC’s Newsnight in March, Torsten Bell said that despite the reforms “people with significant disabilities will be protected. They will. Not only will they be protected within the universal credit system, which is the one you’re mentioning, but they’ll also be able to apply for PIP.
“So people with significant disabilities, if they are young, if they’re currently receiving UC health, they will continue to receive it. And if they have significant disabilities, they will still be allowed to apply for PIP.”
In response to Swansea DPAC’s claims, a spokesperson for Torsten Bell MP said: “Torsten has been speaking regularly to constituents about proposed changes to disability and incapacity benefits, including at regular surgeries and meetings with affected groups. He will continue to do so and always encourages constituents to get in touch.”
Gutless just like labour
Safe Labour seat! he doesn’t give a damn about his constituents!
Swansea DPAC absolutely 100% refute Torsten’s excuse that he ‘won’t meet us because we’re not in his constituency.’ He has point-blank “politely declined” to meet with us as a group when asked by one of his constituents. We have it in black and white. We can prove it.
Refusing to meet us as a group, and insisting on individual constituent meetings is akin to a bad employer refusing to enter collective negotiations, and attempting to talk to workers one-on-one without union representation. What a so-called Labour MP!
We can also prove his comments calling disabled people “keyboard warriors” and a “burden”.
Torsten Bell, stop insulting us, and meet with us to debate the issues politically!
Torsten Bell has also denied calling us “keyboard warriors” or a “burden”. He’s today deleted the Facebook post where he said it. But we have screenshots and can prove it.
Deleting the post raises even more questions. Why would Torsten delete the post where he called us a burden, if he has nothing to hide? Why would he lie about it?
He is not engaging with constituents in his area. He is refusing to correspond at all. He has not replied to me, there are no regular meetings and even if there were I could not access them. This is a cull of disabled people.