Local LibDems condemn Tories' "hobnailed boot" approach on homelessness
January 2, 2008 11:00 PM
Conservatives should drop "hobnailed boot" approach to homelessness, say local LibDems
Westminster Conservatives' campaign to crack down on rough sleepers has been condemned by the local Liberal Democrats, after their research unveiled years of threats against rough sleepers and those running soup kitchens.
Chair of the local LibDems Mark Blackburn said, "We checked up on reports of what Westminster Conservatives have been saying about homeless people in recent years. Their approach has included threats to fine rough sleepers and give them criminal records, attempts to fine soup run operators, and a push to give the Council the power forcibly to close the soup kitchens down."
In late 2002, Westminster Council lobbied the Government to allow it to fine rough sleepers £500 (BBC News website, Rough sleepers face £500 fine, 27th September 2002). Then, in early 2003, Westminster Council was reported to want rough sleepers to be given criminal records (BBC News website, Curb 'soup kitchens' says council, 17th March 2003).
In late 2004, the Council made attempts to shut down soup runs, two years after closing dozens (Times Online, Free soup is a mug's game, 30th November 2004). Then, in late 2005, it said that soup runs encouraged people onto the streets (BBC News website, Soup runs 'not helping homeless', 11th September 2005).
Early last year, former Conservative Cabinet minister Lord John Patten complained about soup runs near his Westminster flat (Independent, Soup kitchens? Not in my back yard says Tory peer, 25th March 2007). He was followed a month later by Westminster's MP Mark Field, who said that soup runs encouraged people to stay on the streets (Times Online, Soup keeps homeless on streets, 24th April 2007).
Then, in late 2007, Westminster Council failed in its attempt to amend the law to allow it forcibly to close down soup kitchens (Independent, Westminster council wants 'nuisance' soup runs banned, 10th November 2007).
Mark continued, "Soup runs are not enough. Of course they are not. But slapping a £500 fine and a criminal record on a rough sleeper is not exactly going to help, is it? And snatching a soup bowl from a rough sleeper surely cannot be a step in the right direction.
"This is a hobnailed boot approach. It is wrong, and the local Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose it."
The local LibDems are running an online petition on the issue, which can be signed online at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/foodnotfines
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats