WASPI: Sarwar must stand up to Prime Minister
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman is calling on the Scottish Labour leadership to stand up to Keir Starmer over his government’s refusal to pay compensation to WASPI women.
Yesterday’s announcement at Westminster means that nearly 4 million women who were unfairly treated by the UK Government will not receive any compensation despite the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendation that they should.
During his 2017 leadership bid, the now Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said on Twitter “Under my leadership, WASPI women will finally receive the justice they deserve”. In response to a WASPI campaigner on Twitter he also said “absolutely Ann. We need to get justice for Waspi women across the UK and see what we can do here in Scotland”.
Scottish Greens social justice spokesperson Maggie Chapman called on Anas Sarwar to stand up for these values and against his party's Westminster leader.
Ms Chapman said:
“It's time for Anas Sarwar to stop dancing to Keir Starmers's dreadful tune. He needs to grow a spine before it's too late.
“We know that Anas used to support fast, fair and full compensation for these women who have been ignored by politicians for decades. It’s time for him and his Labour colleagues to show it by standing up to Downing Street.
“Since taking power in June, Labour has cut the Winter Fuel Payment and retained the cruel two-child benefit cap. Now they are betraying millions of women all across the UK. I have no doubt that this will come to haunt Anas Sarwar if he doesn't stand up to this dishonest and penny-pinching Prime Minister.
“I hope that Anas Sarwar will put people and principles before his party. WASPI women don't have time to wait for fantasy economics, they need fair compensation now.”