Gregory Campbell said:
“Next week, Parliament is scheduled to vote on Labour plans that would impose yet more cuts to some very vulnerable people. The overall welfare budget has to be tackled but not on the backs of some of the most disadvantaged in our society. An amendment has rightly been tabled to challenge these plans, and DUP MPs will support it.
We are standing up for people in Northern Ireland who are struggling to make ends meet, who depend on the support that welfare provides to live with dignity and security. Those who are in genuine need must not be forced to bear the brunt of yet another wave of cuts from this Government. Those affected, as well as living in our constituencies, also live in Fermanagh & S Tyrone, Mid Ulster, West Tyrone, West Belfast, North Belfast, Newry & Armagh and South Down where there are SF MPs.
While we will use our votes against these cuts, they will do interviews, drawing a salary, but they won’t be in the voting lobby where it counts. They will yet again refuse to take their seats, even as decisions are being made that will affect some of the most disadvantaged people all over Northern Ireland.
It is not enough to make speeches or tweet slogans about social justice. Being elected to Westminster means having the opportunity and responsibility to vote. To make a difference when it matters. This vote could be on a knife edge, but Sinn Fein will choose abstentionism. If Labour succeeds, they have acquiesced in that victory and in taking money out of the pockets of those who need support.
Sinn Fein present themselves as champions of working people and defenders of the vulnerable. But their refusal to act when those same people are under threat shows that image to be a sham.
Next week’s vote is about fairness. We know where we stand - shoulder to shoulder with those who need our support. Others, sadly, prefer to grandstand and abstain.”