Speaking ahead of the debate the DUP MP said, “There has been anger across the United Kingdom at the Labour Party’s decision to prioritise the removal of winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners. Before taking any tough decisions on other areas of expenditure they decided first to make many older people extremely concerned about how they will heat their homes this winter.
It was a decision taken without any consultation with devolved regions, including in Northern Ireland where there has been cross-party opposition. Whilst speaking out against the decision is important, it is worthless if it isn’t backed up by action when that is open to those who could vote against it but choose not to.
There will be a number of Labour MPs prepared to take a stand against their party by voting against the Government yet some MPs from Northern Ireland will be standing outside Parliament doing nothing. Sinn Fein’s MPs will be actively assisting the Government through their inaction. Indeed, Sinn Fein are the only other party that have an incentive to hope the Government wins the vote comfortably.
The Labour Party will have been ably assisted by Sinn Fein in the raid against pensioners this winter."