The Bow Group supports Iain Duncan Smith’s decision to resign from the Government – “the move will create a positive shift”

Following the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith’s decision to resign from the Government, the Group wishes to add to the chorus of conservative voices in declaring its support for his decision, and to thank him for his ground-breaking work on social justice reform.

In publishing ‘Breakthrough Britain’ in 2007, Iain Duncan Smith put forward radical policy proposals on pressing social issues according to conservative principles. In government, he introduced the Welfare Reform Act 2012, containing a range of measures aimed at transforming Britain’s welfare system, and launched Universal Credit in 2013, also bringing forward a Benefit Cap limiting the total amount of money available to social security claimants.

Reacting to the resignation, Bow Group Chairman Cllr. Ben Harris-Quinney said:

“Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation has the potential to create a large number of positive shifts in British politics, not only does his resignation effectively kill the wrong-headed proposals to severely cut benefits to the most vulnerable British citizens, it also prompts a debate in the Conservative Party as to where the burden of cuts should be placed, and the wider process for policy making in the Party.

Iain Duncan Smith has distinguished himself as one of the most radical social reformers in modern British history, his resignation should force a sobering reconsideration of how this government is implementing cuts.

For most people it makes little sense to have ‘ring-fenced’ certain budgets, particularly the £15 Billion  International Aid Budget, whilst cutting vital welfare to the most vulnerable at home. This balance of the burden of cuts needs to be reconsidered with all ‘ring fences’ removed.

The government needs to urgently return to the principle of putting British people first, rather than placing the burden of cuts on the most vulnerable citizens.

The Conservative Party must also recognise that centralising power in the hands of a leadership clique fosters resentment, bad policy and outright rebellion.”

Bow Group Parliamentary Board Member, The Rt Hon. John Redwood MP said:

“I am glad the government is withdrawing its disability payment cuts. I lobbied against them as did other MPs.

I am sad Iain Duncan Smith has had to leave the government, as he is so committed to a better deal for those on benefits.

It also means the loss of one of the major Brexit figures from the government, which makes the Cabinet even less representative of the modern Conservative party.”

2016 Disability Payment Cuts:
• £4 billion cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) proposed in the Budget would affect over 600,000 people
• PIP would replace the current Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in January 2017
• 200,000 people would be taken out of the system altogether, losing £3,000 per year
• 400,000 people would have their payments reduced from £82 to £55 per week
• Current annual projected international aid spending has shot up to £15.4 billion this year