Moor View MP Fred Thomas votes down Lib Dem attempt to expand free bus travel for disabled people in Plymouth

 

Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View Fred Thomas has voted in Parliament against a Liberal Democrat amendment which would have expanded free bus travel for disabled people.

 

Plymouth Liberal Democrats said that Fred Thomas had “failed disabled people” by making it harder for them to get fair and accessible transport.

 

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon's amendment would have removed all time restrictions on the use of bus passes for disabled people and had cross-party support. Plymouth's Lib Dems said it was “deeply disappointing” that Fred Thomas had voted against the amendment. The party has also called on the Government to scrap their ‘bus tax’ proposal of increasing the bus fare cap from £2 to £3.

 

President of Plymouth Liberal Democrats Hugh Janes said: “Labour has failed disabled people in our community after its MPs voted down this Liberal Democrat amendment.

 

“Instead of helping people in often challenging circumstances to access the transport they need, Fred Thomas turned his back on them when he cast this vote.

 

“The Government keeps saying they want to help more disabled people into work but then won't even help them get the public transport many need.

 

“From Labour’s bus tax to voting against giving greater access to transport for disabled people, this Government is failing to deliver the change people need and are crying out for.”

 

Details of how MPs voted on the Lib Dem amendment can be found HERE.