The 35 MPs who opposed the pensions robbery

aCKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO pcs WEBSITE

2 March 2012

PCS is publishing the names of 35 MPs who opposed the theft of thousands of pounds from pensioners in public and private sector schemes in a parliamentary vote yesterday.

The politicians were debating the switching of the measure used to upgrade pensions from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the usually lower Consumer Price Index (RPI).

The move – which has been imposed by the government and many private sector employers – will cost pensioners about £15,000 over an average retirement.

The debate was sparked by a petition against the change which was drawn up by PCS member Jim Singer, and has been signed by more than 110,000 people.

Opponents of the pension robbery were defeated by 232 votes to 33 – after the Labour Party told its MPs to abstain.

Report of the debate: Workers need representation as Labour ducks out

Under parliamentary rules two MPs who opposed the switch had to act as tellers – which means they count the votes but can’t vote themselves.

So in total 35 MPs backed Jim’s petition. They were – by political party:

Alliance
Naomi Long

Democratic UnionistNigel Dodds, Ian Paisley, Sammy Wilson

Green
Caroline Lucas

Independent
Denis MacShane

Labour
Graham Allen , Katy Clark, Michael Connarty, Jeremy Corbyn (teller), David Crausby, Frank Doran, Jim Dowd, George Howarth, Mark Lazarowicz, John Mann, John McDonnell, Alan Meale, Madeleine Moon, Grahame Morris (teller), Albert Owen, Teresa Pearce, Dennis Skinner, Derek Twigg, Joan Walley, David Winnick

Liberal Democrat
Bob Russell

Plaid Cymru
Jonathan Edwards,  Elfyn Llwyd, Hywel Williams

Scottish Nationalist
Mike Weir, Pete Wishart

Social Democratic and LabourMark Durkan, Alasdair McDonnell, Margaret Mitchie.

PCS – which is not affiliated to any political party – will be balloting members in June on whether the union should support candidates who agree with the organisation’s policies at future elections.

Following yesterday’s debate there has been discussion about the political representation of working people in the UK parliament on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.