Whose side is Nick Brown on in today's 10p tax vote? (Greg Stone)

Whose side is Nick Brown on in today's 10p tax vote?

July 7, 2009 10:27 AM

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Greg Stone has warned the Labour MP for Newcastle East Nick Brown that his vote today will be closely scrutinised by his constituents.

The House of Commons is debating the Finance Bill, the legislation enabling Labour's Budget, and Labour rebels are expected to table an amendment with Opposition party support to address the injustice of Gordon Brown's 10p tax band cut, which hit thousands of Newcastle East residents when it was introduced.

As Gordon Brown's right hand man, Nick Brown and his fellow Labour whips will be seeking to head off the rebellion and ensure the amendment is defeated.

Greg Stone said "The 10p tax band cut was a spectacular disaster which saw Gordon Brown introduce a flagship policy which actually made those on the lowest incomes hundreds of pounds worse off a year. Labour rebels and opposition parties including the Lib Dems will be seeking to reverse this policy in the vote today.

10p "Will Nick Brown stand up for the least well off in areas of his constituency like Walker, Byker, Walkergate, Shieldfield, and Battlefield, or will he once again put the interests of his boss Gordon Brown ahead of the interests of local people on low incomes? We will be watching closely and will be reminding the voters of his decision at the General Election".