Wimbledon's MP fails to attend Fuel Poverty Bill debate (Shas Sheehan )

Wimbledon's MP fails to attend Fuel Poverty Bill debate

March 27, 2009 12:00 AM

Fuel poverty is responsible for excess winter deaths

Every winter the death toll among the elderly rises. Most of these deaths are caused by cold homes - 'fuel poverty' is when a household can't afford to keep the house warm. Wimbledon's Tory MP could have voted to end this scandal by supporting the Fuel Poverty Bill when it was discussed in Parliament on 20 March 2009.

The Bill would have given the Government a duty to insulate the homes of people living in fuel poverty to a high standard.

But sadly, Stephen Hammond MP was one of many MPs who didn't turn up to debate the law, and the Government was able to "talk it out".

Yet Liberal Democrat MPs in neighbouring constituencies, Vince Cable, Susan Kramer, Ed Davey, Paul Burstow and Tom Brake all rearranged their diaries so that they could be present to help this Bill through Parliament. In fact, 71% of the 89 MPs who voted in support were Liberal Democrat MPs, only 7% Labour and 10% Conservatives - so much for Labour's social justice agenda, and the Tories' compassionate conservatism.

But all is not yet lost. The Bill could receive further consideration on the 12th of June, but the reality is there's little chance without Government support. We're therefore asking Stephen Hammond MP to apply as much pressure as possible to the Government to support the Bill.