MP Blasted for not fitting the Bill (Windsor Liberal Democrats)

Windsor Liberal Democrats <info@windsorlibdems.org.uk>

MP Blasted for not fitting the Bill

March 27, 2009 12:00 AM
By Aamina Zafar in The Royal Borough Observer

WINDSOR Liberal Democrats have slammed the town's MP after he failed to show up to support the poverty fuel bill in parliament.

The proposed legislation would have meant cheaper bills for those on the breadline as well as introducing a programme to help people become more energy efficient.

However, the bill was rejected in the House of Commons earlier this week as it only received 89 votes - but 100 were needed to proceed.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Julian Tisi said: "Adam Afriyie has let the people of Windsor down by failing to turn up to vote on a Bill which would have helped thousands of the most vulnerable people in Windsor, despite the Conservatives 'officially' supporting the bill."

A recent survey by independent campaign group Consumer Focus showed that almost 6,000 households in the Windsor constituency (15% of all households) are in fuel poverty.

A spokeswoman for Mr Afriyie said: "Like 500 other MPs, including 18 Lib Dems and their own leader, Mr Afriyie didn't vote on this private member's bill.

"Adam wants an end to fuel poverty implemented in a way that will actually get results but this bill merely complements many Conservative policies. We suggest Lib Dems take this up with their own party leader and stop playing petty party politics with such an important issue."