Local Labour MPs Block Lib Dem Plan to Expand Free Bus Travel for Disabled People

Labour MPs Catherine McKinnell, Mary Glindon and Chi Onwurah have voted down a Liberal Democrat attempt to expand free bus travel for disabled people in Newcastle.

Labour MPs for Newcastle North, Newcastle East and Wallsend and Newcastle Central and West all rejected an amendment tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon, which would have removed all time restrictions on disabled people using their bus passes. The amendment had wide cross-party support.

Newcastle Liberal Democrats said that by voting against the proposal, the city’s Labour MPs “have failed disabled people” and made it harder for them to access fair and affordable transport.

The party has also renewed calls on the Government to scrap their so-called ‘bus tax’, which would raise the bus fare cap from £2 to £3.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for adult care Dr Wendy Taylor said:“The Labour Party has failed disabled people in our community. Instead of giving people in often difficult circumstances the opportunity to access the transport they need, our MPs have turned their back on them. The Government keeps saying they want to help more disabled people get into work, but then won’t even help them access the public transport they rely on. From the bus tax to now voting against greater access to transport for disabled people, this Labour government is failing to deliver the change people are crying out for.”