Nadia Whittome has blasted the government’s welfare cuts, saying Labour is “getting it badly wrong.”
‘I Can’t Look My Mum In The Eye’
Labour MP Nadia Whittome has torn into the government’s plan to slash benefits — and she’s not holding back.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Nottingham East MP said she can’t support the proposed cuts, which could see £70bn wiped from the welfare budget by the end of the decade.
“I can’t look my constituents in the eye. I can’t look my mum in the eye and support this.”
Whittome made it clear — Labour is getting this wrong.
‘It’s About Political Choices’
Whittome acknowledged that Labour inherited a financial mess from the Tories. However, she argued that targeting disabled people to balance the books is morally wrong.
“How we deal with that problem is a question of political choices.”
Instead of cutting benefits, she proposed a wealth tax on the super-rich.
“A modest 2% tax on assets over £10 million would only affect around 20,000 people — but it could raise £24bn.”
She highlighted that UK billionaires’ collective wealth grew by £35m a day last year. Meanwhile, disabled people are being asked to take the hit.
Would She Rebel Against Labour?
When asked if she would defy her party over the cuts, Whittome didn’t flinch.
“I’m not doing this to be difficult — I love my party and I want our government to succeed.
“But it’s my responsibility to speak out when my party is getting it wrong — and we are getting it badly wrong on this.”
She recalled her own family’s reliance on benefits when her mum had to stop working to care for her as a teenager.
“I represent disabled people. We hear their stories every day. We know how much these payments matter.”
Labour Faces Growing Rebellion
Whittome isn’t alone. ITV reported that all Labour MPs have been invited to No.10 this week to discuss the cuts.
It’s unclear how many will rebel — but Whittome’s passionate stance shows that Labour’s leadership could have a fight on its hands.
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