Let Colne Valley MP eat cake

KALI Mountford, the new Labour MP for Colne Valley, seems to have inherited the mantle of the unlamented health secretary Patricia Hewitt for condescension.

Speaking in the debate on James Purnell's green paper on welfare reform, the "honourable" lady had this to say.

"In congratulating my right honourable friend on his statement, may I say that it is part of an evolving process over some years whereby the government have concentrated their efforts on those who are completely isolated from the world of work, who have become used to dependence on benefits and who have perhaps become comfortable in poverty."

"Comfortable in poverty?" There speaks somebody in a privileged position who, until recently, could have spent £250 and claimed it back without having to submit a receipt, who has just started an 11-week break from her place of employment and benefits from a second home allowance.

Ms Mountford has a very small majority and I hope that her poorer constituents will remember her words at the time of the next election and vote not for her, but a real left candidate. As for Ms Mountford, let her eat cake.

ALAN GILES
Romford