Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, has today written to new Tory MP Paul Masterton after his election to the East Renfrewshire constituency.
Tom’s constituency shares a sizeable area with the new Tory, and he has been keen to seek out clarification on the new representative’s views, particularly in light of Theresa May’s desire to form a government with the support of the DUP.
The Tory politician has been asked to clarify his views on his party’s contentious policies, including the abhorrent rape clause, as well as his opinion on some of the DUP’s more extreme views which include blocking same-sex marriage and having previously given a senior environmental role in the Northern Ireland Executive to a climate change denier.
Tom said: “I know what a great privilege it is to represent your constituents, and I wish Paul all the best in his new role.
“However, I have been saddened by the number of constituents who have come to me for assistance as a direct consequence of some of the Tories most damaging austerity policies, which have penalised the most vulnerable in society.
“I feel that it is important that those same constituents who have reached out to me know whether Paul will put their interests first at Westminster, or simply rubber stamp plans to continue with an extreme austerity agenda.
“Given that Paul is new to East Renfrewshire, I’d like to help him understand the challenges faced by some of the people I represent here.
“Kirsten Oswald was a real local champion who understood the area and its issues, and I can only hope that her successor will consider whether he would rather represent communities here, or simply be Theresa May’s yes man.”
The full text of the letter states:
“Dear Paul
I am writing to offer my congratulations on your election as Member of Parliament for East Renfrewshire. My own election was a moment that will always stay with me, and I know what a great honour it is to serve your constituency.
As my constituency of Renfrewshire South shares significant areas with your own, I thought it would be useful to clarify your stance on certain issues I know are of special concern to our constituents. In particular:
- Can you confirm if you support the ending of the pensions ‘triple lock’? Can you confirm if you will support any increases to National Insurance?
- Do you support the two child cap and rape clause which forces victims of rape to prove that a third child was conceived as a consequence of rape in order to receive Child Tax Credits?
- Do you support continued cuts to in-work benefits, which the IFS states will drive over one million additional children in the UK into poverty by 2022?
Finally, your party leader, Theresa May, described the DUP as “friends and allies”. Can you please confirm if you agree with the DUP’s position of blocking equal marriage, and can you clarify if you agree with Sammy Wilson MP, former DUP Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, that belief in man-made climate change is an “hysterical pseudo-religion”?
I look forward to hearing from you.”