Dear Editor,

It is great to read in Jesse Norman’s letter last week that he has been involved in charity work – just like so many of his constituents.

However, his voting record is not so charitable when it comes to taking care of his very same constituents. He voted in favour of the ’Bedroom Tax’ and he has consistently voted against benefits being raised in line with prices.

He has also almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability.

He has almost always voted for making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support.

He has also almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits. He has consistently voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed.

He has generally voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000.

He has almost always voted against a banker’s bonus tax.

He has consistently voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax)

I could go on. All of this information is available on the theyworkforyou.com website.

In view of this voting record, it is perhaps somewhat ironic that Jesse wrote a book titled ‘Compassionate Conservatism.’

Perhaps there would not be so many people requiring his assistance if he voted differently in Parliament.

Jean Fardoe

Ross-on-Wye