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Shamed Cardiff MP flees bedroom tax protesters

Jenny Willott shunned from constituency office

Shamed Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott shunned her constituency office yesterday to avoid a protest by council tenants over her decision to back the bedroom tax.

The Cardiff Central MP was sent hundreds of letters and emails from affected tenants before Labour's motion to scrap the tax in Parliament last week.

Ms Willott not only ignored their impassioned pleas but, as the government's deputy whip, also ensured her colleagues voted to keep the housing benefit cuts.

Over 20 disappointed constituents and campaigners went to her office to demand answers but Ms Willott had done a runner.

Council tenant Paul Callaghan faces eviction from his home after falling into rent arrears as a result of the bedroom tax.

He told the Star: "I came to ask why she voted for the tax in the Commons and I'm disappointed that she didn't even bother to turn up."

Mr Callaghan said he voted for Ms Willott at the last general election and now felt "cheated."

"Just like me, thousands of people across Cardiff have been hit by this unfair measure," he added.

"While some are scraping by on less than £7 per week, others, who cannot afford to pay, are facing eviction."

Ms Willott resigned from her post as a parliamentary private secretary to vote against the trebling of tuition fees in 2010.

Bedroom tax campaigner Jamie Insole said that the protest was about a "style of politics whereby the concerns of hundreds are dismissed in pursuit of political expedience."

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