What IDS really thinks about disability cuts (according to one of his own colleagues)
Stephen MacPartland says the sanctification of IDS has been “absolutely disgraceful”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Conservative MP has accused Iain Duncan Smith of resigning from the Government because his welfare reforms were “not working”.
Mr Duncan Smith quit as Work and Pensions Secretary on Friday citing changes to disabled benefits as “a compromise too far”.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said: “I am unable to watch passively whilst certain policies are enacted in order to meet the fiscal self-imposed restraints that I believe are more and more perceived as distinctly political rather than in the national economic interest.”
However, many have been sceptical of Mr Duncan Smith’s stated reaons.
Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, told LBC on Sunday he found the sanctification of Mr Duncan Smith "absolutely disgraceful" and that he “never saw any of this conscience they are talking about” in his own dealings with him.
“In my experience he has been evangelical, the reforms have been aggressive and they have been routinely failing,” he said.
Although he didn’t rule out Europe as a factor, the Tory MP said Mr Duncan Smith left his post because he “knew they were not going to be able to get the welfare stuff through.
“I don’t always see eye to eye with the treasury but I think on this occasion the DWP have been the ones designing all the reforms and at the heart of the problem.
“The reality is the reason these reforms couldn’t get through is because the Conservative Party in general do want to look after the most vulnerable in our communities, we do see it as our duty.”
The row has split the Tories in two, with numerous MPs coming out to defend Mr Duncan Smith and attack George Osborne and David Cameron.
Another factor that has been cited as a possible motive for Mr Duncan Smith's is the legal decision this week that means the DWP will have to release potentially damaging documents after a four year long legal battle to suppress them.
The new Work and Pensions Secretary, Stephen Crabb, will tell the Commons in a statement that the curbs to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been abandoned.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments