Bristol Liberal Democrats accuse Labour MPs of failing disabled people
Bristol's Liberal Democrats have accused Labour MPs from the city of failing disabled people after a crucial vote on bus pass access.
MPs in Bristol voted last week (September 11) for an amendment put forward by Liberal Democrats, which would see free bus travel expanded for disabled people, and would remove all time restrictions on the use of bus passes for disabled people.
However, Bristol Liberal Democrats have accused the Labour party of “failing disabled people” after Labour MPs Damien Egan (Bristol North East), Kerry McCathy (Bristol East) and Karin Smyth (Bristol South) voted against the amendment.
The Liberal Democrats called on the Government to scrap their ‘bus tax’ proposal of increasing the bus fare cap, so that bus fares in Bristol now cost £2.50 – up from the previous £2 cap.
Cllr Nicholas Coombes (Liberal Democrats, Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze) who sits on the Council’s Transport and Connectivity Committee 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 fairly, Labour have turned their back on them.
“The Government keeps saying they want to help get more disabled people get into work but then won’t even help them get the public transport they need.
“From the bus tax to now voting against giving greater access to transport for disabled people, this Labour government is failing to deliver the change people are crying out for.”
To view the votes on the Liberal Democrat amendment, click here.