Labour's Islington MPs vote against tax cuts

2.49.00pm GMT Thu 13th Nov 2008

Bridget Fox

Islington's two Labour MPs have voted against a motion in Parliament to cut taxes for most people in Britain. A Liberal Democrat motion calling for an immediate substantial cut in income tax for low and middle-income families has been rejected by Labour MPs. Islington MPs Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn voted against this move to put cash back in ordinary people's pockets.

Bridget Fox with Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP

The motion, proposed by Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable, noted that Britain 's economic crisis is hurting many ordinary people struggling to keep their homes, pay bills, and take care of their families. Dr. Cable called for an immediate and substantial cut in income tax to benefit low and middle-income taxpayers, paid for by closing the multi-billion tax loopholes which benefit the very wealthy individuals who profited disproportionately from the economic boom.

But Islington's Labour MPs voted against the tax cuts.

Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Islington South and Finsbury, Bridget Fox, slammed her Labour opponent for ignoring the needs of ordinary Islington residents. Bridget said:

"The Lib Dems want to put money back into ordinary people's pockets to help them through these difficult economic times. We want to let people keep more of the money they work hard to earn.

"It's a real shame that Labour MP Emily Thornberry voted against the proposed tax cuts.

"After 11 years of Gordon Brown's stranglehold on the tax system, millionaires still pay a smaller percentage in tax than their cleaners. The 10p tax fiasco hit the poorest members of the community. And many residents are furious that we are paying a much higher proportion in tax than the super-rich, who are profiting from all the tax loopholes."

You can see the votes online at:

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-11-10&number=311&display=allvotes