Labour MPs choose party politics over pension holders

1.33.18pm GMT Fri 30th Oct 2009

Sheffield's Labour MPs have been criticised for refusing to support those who lost their savings when pension company Equitable Life went bust.

Stunningly, two of the MPs - Richard Caborn and Angela Smith - were among 343 who had previously pledged their support to an Early Day Motion calling for compensation for the victims.

But when the Liberal Democrats proposed a virtually identical motion in Parliament, all five Sheffield Labour MPs voted against.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of Sheffield City Council said:

"How can it be fair, when taxpayers have spent billions bailing out the banks, for the government to refuse to support Equitable Life policy holders? The sums involved would be a fraction of those poured into the banks' coffers.

"This is yet another case of Labour saying one thing and doing another.

"It should now be clear to people exactly where their Labour MPs' loyalties lie. They would rather support their morally bankrupt national party, than stand up for people in their own city."