Opinion, Watford Observer, 20 October 2024: Watford residents 'not defended' from harmful measures | Watford Observer
The good news is that our local MP has finally stood up for local Watford residents on a matter of principle.
The bad news is that it wasn’t to defend our pensioners’ winter fuel allowance of at least £200 per year and to oppose the cuts that will leave over 11,000 Watford pensioners worse off.
Nor was it to insist the Labour Government honour the commitment to redevelop Watford General Hospital.
It wasn’t even to oppose the widely trailed forthcoming tax hike on employers’ National Insurance contributions. This will be an additional tax on jobs and breaks a Labour Party manifesto pledge which stated clearly NI rates would not be increased.
No, it was none of these things of vital importance to local residents. Instead, Matt Turmaine has taken a principled stand – wait for it - to support switching off the giant advertising board at London Euston station. And it was simply to endorse a decision that had already taken.
You couldn’t make it up.
Every few weeks, the Labour Government announces yet another measure that harms hard-working local families – measures that Labour had deliberately withheld from us ahead of the election – and Watford residents are not defended.
And in less than two weeks, the Chancellor will present her budget to show how she plans to make cuts and increase taxes so she can find the money for the pay demands of Labour’s trade union masters.
It is time to stand up for the hard-working families of Watford, starting with defending the winter fuel allowance. Let’s put pressure on the Government to reverse this decision by signing the petition against the winter fuel allowance cuts. Please add your voice here: www.keepwinterfuel.com.
Stephen Woodard
Chairman, Watford Conservatives
