Tories defeated in cruel tax vote

A major step forward in redressing the injustice of the government’s hated bedroom tax has happened today, (September 5) in Parliament, with the Commons voting to exempt more people from the tax.

The government defeat was thanks to a huge turnout from Labour MPs, some of who even moved around their Friday constituency appointments to make it down to vote.

The private members’ bill to reduce the number of people hit by the tax was put forward by a backbench Lib Dem MP and received wide support from the party, who has now changed its stance to oppose the measure.

“The government should scrap the hated bedroom tax following the overwhelming vote by MPs against the cruel tax on bedrooms today,” said Labour’s Rachel Reeves.

“David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s cruel and unfair bedroom tax has hit hundreds of thousands of people across the country causing misery, hardship and forcing families to rely on food banks.”

She pledged, “If the government won’t ditch the bedroom tax, then the next Labour government will.”

When put to a vote, the second reading of the bill carried by 306 to 231. It will now go to the next committee stage. Should it pass through into law, the bill would see disabled people exempted from the bedroom tax. The Tories opposed the exemptions.

“Today’s announcement is significant, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for thousands of families who’ve had the bedroom tax forced upon them,” said Unite Community’s Colin Stuart.

“We have been at the forefront fighting this vile levy and our members won’t give up until the bedroom tax in the dustbin for good.

“MPs who voted today need to make sure they stick to their convictions and see this through to the end – we’ll be pushing them all the way.”