Liz Truss is one of the few senior Conservative MPs not to have been educated at a private school. She made much of the fact during her leadership campaign that she attended primary school in Paisley during the 80s.
But if you thought those formative experiences had given her some insight into the lives of ordinary people, you should think again. Truss has already refused to impose a second windfall tax on the greedy energy companies that are making billions while people face freezing this winter.
And now we learn that her plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis will most benefit the richest families in the UK. If the UK Government cuts national insurance and limits energy bill rises as planned, richer homes will get support worth £4700 in 2023. That’s compared with just £2200 for the poorest.
The Resolution Foundation, which carried out the research, found that it’s the richest 10 per cent of households that will benefit most. It’s Conservative economics in a nutshell – handouts are fine as long as it’s the richest who do the best out of it.
Targeting support at those who need it most is anathema to Truss and her cronies. Her grand plan to help households with the cost of living still lacks detail.
We still don’t know exactly how it will be paid for. But it looks more than likely it could be out of general taxation. Which means hard-up families will be asked to pay even more.
MP should quit
Disgraced Margaret Ferrier should have resigned from Parliament two years ago. In September 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic, with no vaccine in sight and fatalities going through the roof, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West took leave of her senses.
While awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test, she attended church, went to a bar, took the train to London and appeared in a Commons debate to no obvious benefit to anyone. Feeling unwell, instead of isolating as she should have from the start, she took a train back to Glasgow and then home.
Her actions didn’t just display stratospheric stupidity, they showed a complete disregard for ordinary people, for her constituents, colleagues and fellow citizens. Ferrier must think she is exceptional because she is still there, sitting in the Commons as an independent MP, despite being binned by the SNP.
The sheriff was scathing in his sentencing but the verdict was already known. Margaret Ferrier is not fit to be MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. She should stand down.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
