In ending the winter fuel allowance, this is not the Labour party I voted for

Fifty-three Labour MPs did not vote with the government on the winter fuel payments cut last Tuesday. Photograph: Reuters

I have lost more than my winter fuel payment, I have lost my party. I have voted Labour for 60 years, but these aren’t my people. Whatever Rachel Reeves may achieve, she will always be known for this, her “Thatcher the milk snatcher” moment (“This ‘iron chancellor’ faces an early challenge to her authority over winter fuel payments”, Comment).

My housing benefit has gone down, my rates have gone up, as have my fuel bills. I have become a taxpayer again on my tiny private pension, due to tax threshold changes. I have lost my free TV licence. Ours is the generation who send Christmas cards, give to charities, support high street shops. Don’t be surprised when this spending goes down.