Reform UK MP blasts Starmer as Labour 'punishes' pensioners by 'prioritising' £1.4billion foreign aid surge
Reform UK MP James McMurdock
GBN
Reform UK MP James McMurdock has blasted Sir Keir Starmer after he accused Labour of saving the UK's foreign aid budget while punishing pensioners.
The South Basildon & East Thurrock MP, who only joined Reform UK two months before entering the House of Commons, used his maiden speech to voice his dismay at Labour releasing criminals early and to explain why he decided to stand for Parliament.
However, McMurdock received a warm reception when he took on the Labour Government over Winter Fuel Payments.
All five Reform UK MPs voted to maintain allowance which is now being taken away from around 10 million pensioners.
Reform UK MP James McMurdockGBNMcMurdock revealed a new detail about Labour's decision during his speech at the NEC in Birmingham.
Reform UK members shouted "shocking" and booed after McMurdock said: "We had increased our foreign aid budget by £1.4billion.
"What's more shocking is that the same amount as the proposed savings from the Winter Fuel Payment is £1.4billion.
"I wrote to the Chancellor before the vote demanding we prioritise our pensioners over foreign aid."
The Winter Fuel Payment can help towards energy bills in the winter PAHe added: "Labour decided that the foreign aid budget is more important."
McMurdock's criticism comes as Labour pushes ahead with measures to axe Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners in a measure supported by an overwhelming majority of Starmer's MPs.
The 38-year-old's reference to foreign aid appeared to stem from the £1.4billion increase in 2022 compared to 2021.
However, the House of Commons Library revealed almost all countries witnessed reductions in aid from 2020 to 2022.
Keir Starmer
PAYemen's pot slumped from £221million to £71million, with Syria's chunk collapsing from £181million to just £63million.
However, McMurdock also used his speech to discuss why he entered politics.
He said: “I saw an interview with Richard Tice speaking about the things Reform were offering.
“Putting money back in the pockets of working families, Getting the country’s economy moving again.
Nigel FarageGETTY“Energy and defence policies that would offer stability to our country, Conversation over taboo topics like immigration, finally being had instead of swept under the rug.”
McMurdock added: “My biggest concern was those who had simply given up on politics. And who can blame them, just a month or so earlier I had felt the same frustration.
“These were difficult moments, but one experience stands out: after an unpleasant interaction with a non-voter, a kind family next door reassured me that they were all voting Reform. Moments like that put a smile back on my face as I continued the campaign.”
McMurdock won South Basildon & East Thurrock by just 98 votes, with 30.8 per cent support in the three-way marginal Essex seat.