'Absolute disgrace!' Farage fumes as Starmer vows to strip WW2 hero's Winter Fuel Allowance
'Absolute disgrace!' Farage fumes as Starmer strips WW2 hero's Winter Fuel Allowance
NIGEL FARAGE/PA
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been left fuming this morning as he revealed a World War Two hero risks losing his Winter Fuel Allowance.
Farage, 60, confirmed Reform UK will oppose Sir Keir Starmer's proposal to cut the pensioner perk and highlighted the case as an example as to its impact on British veterans.
The Clacton MP named 99-year-old Jim O'Dwyer as his impacted constituent.
O'Dwyer conducted 31 missions on Lancaster Bombers as tail-end Charlie, a rear-gunner in an essential but dangerous role to combat the threat from Nazi Germany.
'Absolute disgrace!' Farage fumes as Starmer strips WW2 hero's Winter Fuel AllowanceNIGEL FARAGE/PAThe World War Two veteran misses out on receiving additional support due to his private pension.
O'Dwyer's daughter Jenny labelled Starmer's decision as an "absolute disgrace".
In a video highlighting O'Dwyer's case, Farage said: "The job of an MP is to represent his or her constituents.
"One of mine in Clacton is Jim O'Dwyer. He's 99. He did 31 missions on Lancasters during World War Two as tail-end Charlie, rear-gunner, one of the most dangerous jobs in the war.
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Keir StarmerPA"And he's a fine gentleman but because he has a very small private pension, guess what? His winter fuel allowance is being taken away."
He added: "Just look at the service this man has given our country and this is how he is being treated.
"Believe me, I will today be voting against the removal of the winter fuel allowance."
Reform UK's five MPs will oppose Starmer's decision to axe the Winter Fuel Allowance for millions of pensioners.
Reform UK in Westminster Hall
REFORM UKThe Prime Minister is expected to see a number of Labour MPs rebel against his proposal, including ex-Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.
A total of 17 Labour MPs have openly called on Starmer to axe his plan to end the pensioner perk.
Trade unionists have also accused the Starmer of "picking pensioners' pockets" and compared Chancellor Rachel Reeves to the "Grinch at Christmas".
However, many expect up to 50 Labour MPs to abstain on the legislation after Starmer ruthlessly suspended seven Corbynistas who rebelled over the two-child benefit cap in July.