‘We do not want to see children hungry, ever’ says Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan

“As a Conservative and your Member of Parliament, I believe that the government misjudged the mood of the nation,” writes Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan in his latest Express column.
Moral duty: No children must go hungryMoral duty: No children must go hungry
Moral duty: No children must go hungry

The narrative from mainstream media and the lack of effective and clear communications from the government allowed for the deliberate mischaracterisation of the Conservatives as a party happy to let children go hungry.

This is as ridiculous as it sounds and as false. The political opportunism from Labour has been deliberately disingenuous and sadly unsurprising.

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This is not the first time Labour has tried these tactics, only last week when I visited Wakefield Football Club, those on the left attacked my gesture of support. The abuse received following this motion, from being labelled a ‘coconut’ and much aside I cannot place in print, to my staff receiving vile torrents of abuse are simply intolerable. No one should be subject to such vitriol, regardless of their political stripe.

Throughout the pandemic, the government has gone to extraordinary lengths to step in where the pandemic has wrought havoc on lives and livelihoods.

The 80 per cent furlough scheme, the job support scheme, the self-employment scheme, and the other measures introduced to support the economy, were all designed to ensure parents could continue to work and provide for their children. On furlough alone, the government has spent £14 billion a month.

In addition to these exemplary initiatives, the government also established the Local Authority Emergency Assistant Grant for Food and Essential Supplies, for which Wakefield received £466,633.79.

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I completely support the government’s intervention to protect businesses and ensure livelihoods are not destroyed.

These measures cannot save every single job, or stop the closure of every business, but they are the right means through which to best protect our economy.

I was elected to represent Wakefield and ensure that those left behind are given the tools to lift themselves into prosperity and grant themselves a sense of self-worth, satisfaction and pride.

This is exactly what the Conservative Party stands for. Voting against Labour’s motion was not a betrayal of these values, but a failure of communication.

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Labour’s scheme has effectively portrayed the Conservatives in a way that is uncharacteristic of either our policies or values.

Rather than trying to simply ease the symptoms of poverty, we are committed to curing the disease itself.

The only sustainable way to achieve this objective is to empower individuals to aspire and fulfil their ambitions.

Voting against Labour’s motion was the right decision. No real, meaningful change can be achieved through such gestures, regardless of how well intentioned they are.

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I will always champion my constituents and Wakefield’s businesses, it was for this exact reason that I voted against the 10pm curfew.

As Wakefield’s Member of Parliament, I will stand against any motions and policies that stifle or destroy the pathways to opportunity, ambition and prosperity for the people of Wakefield.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my position on the proposed £3,000 pay increase in April next year. At this time of uncertainty and economic hardship, it would be wrong of me to accept this increase. As such, I will be donating any increase to a charity.