Labour MP U-turns on benefit cuts letter

There’s drama in Labourland today as one backbencher appears to have had second thoughts about her stance on benefits payments – after the Get Britain Working group’s open letter went out with her name on it. The letter, which has called upon Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to introduce a ‘new social contract’ to get disability benefit claimants back to work, has ruffled feathers both with left-wing MPs and, er, one of its own signatories. Allison Gardner has taken to social media today to fume that her name ‘shouldn’t have been added’ to the petition and assure her constituents she has requested its removal. Talk about a reverse ferret, eh?

Slamming the note, Gardner raged:

My name shouldn’t have been added to that letter. When I was asked to sign, I made it clear that the wording and focus would have needed to change to better reflect the needs of those with severe disabilities and chronic illnesses who simply can’t work.