SNP Say Theresa May’s Voting Record a Stark Contrast With Her Mission Statement

The SNP has warned that Theresa May’s sweeping proclamations on fighting for social justice in her recent remarks both before and after becoming Prime Minister should be taken with a large pinch of salt, with her voting record since entering government in 2010 painting a starkly different picture of Ms May’s priorities.
 
Comparisons have been drawn with Margaret Thatcher’s speech upon becoming Prime Minister in 1979, which was followed by 11 years of discord and despair.
 
Ms May’s comments on VAT, jobs, affordable housing, wages and household bills have been particularly highlighted, with her statements this week being entirely contradicted by the voting record of the new PM and her new Cabinet.
 
Speaking on Theresa May’s voting record, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee, Christina McKelvie, said:
 
“The new Prime Minister’s comments in the last few days have been nothing short of remarkable and the bold claim that she is some sort of champion for social justice is simply laughable when you take even a cursory glance at her voting record.
 
“Her upset at the rise in VAT doesn’t stand up to any scrutiny when you consider that she has voted for this policy at every opportunity. Ms May’s records on jobs and wages are no better - these actions show her true colours, and prove how little she has fought for social justice.
 
“The cuts to benefits that her government has enforced alongside an enforced austerity agenda have been instrumental in people’s incomes falling behind inflation, making her claims on wanting to ensure people are able to afford their energy seem rather hollow.
 
“It doesn’t end there. Ms May has decried how difficult it is for young people to buy their own homes - yet when she’s had the chance to improve this, she has rejected a plan to build 100,000 affordable homes and implemented and defended the disgraceful bedroom tax.
 
“Does her rhetoric mean we can expect the new PM to stop plans to cut housing benefit for those under 21, imposing a 90% cut to devolved employability programmes, and reintroducing the weekly £30 that was cut from unemployed disabled people?  
 
“It would seem wise to ignore the hype around Ms May’s apparent desire to fight for social justice. As we saw in 1979, Margaret Thatcher came to power pledging to bring the country together in an atmosphere of hope – but 11 years of her governance provided a very different picture.
 
“Given the doublespeak Theresa May is currently engaged in, promising vague ideas of social justice against a backdrop of a disastrous voting record in Parliament and the appointment of a Cabinet significantly to the right of David Cameron’s, it would be very wise to treat the new Prime Minister’s comments with great suspicion.”
 

Full text of Theresa May’s speech in Birmingham is available here: http://www.theresa2016.co.uk/we_can_make_britain_a_country_that_works_for_everyone
 
Theresa May’s statement after becoming Prime Minister is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/statement-from-the-new-prime-minister-theresa-may
 
Theresa May’s full voting record is available here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10426/theresa_may/maidenhead