Report by Local Democracy Reporter Jessica Moriarty
Local MP Brian Mathew has responded to criticism from the chairman of Reform’s Melksham and Devizes branch over his abstention from the vote for a national enquiry into grooming gangs.
Along with the other Liberal Democrats in the House of Commons, MP Brian Mathew recently abstained from voting on a Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill.
The Reform candidate who went up against him at last year’s general election, Malcolm Cupis, has claimed that the “needs and welfare of British people” were ignored, whilst MP Brian Mathew has argued that the amendment would have “blocked progress.”
The Conservative attempt to have the government launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs was voted down by 364 votes to 111 votes, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer maintained that several inquiries had already been held and a new probe would delay action for victims.
However, Mr Cupis reported receiving complaints from “several constituents” over Mr Mathew’s abstention.
He said, “The Conservative Party studiously avoided taking any kind of meaningful action, the Labour government has now shown that it has no intention of doing anything different and the Liberal Democrats have proven, once again, that they are no different in policy or opinion from both of those.
“The establishment uniparty once again acts as a homogenous blob and the opinions, needs and welfare of British people get ignored as a result.”
He went on to claim that Reform UK would “listen and put the needs of British people first” instead.
MP Brian Mathew responded, “I am horrified and appalled by the scandal of sexual abuse of children and the grooming gangs that perpetuate these crimes.
“However, there has already been a seven-year-long independent national inquiry (the Jay inquiry).
“This reported in 2022 and made 20 recommendations to better protect children in the future.
“These recommendations were not implemented by the last Conservative government.
“I believe that it’s disgraceful that the Conservatives are now choosing to use the victims of this scandal as a political football.
“I want to see these recommendations implemented urgently, rather than another inquiry which could delay real action.”
He added, “Their amendment was to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill and if passed, would have blocked progress on dealing with the issue.
“The bill includes many important measures on child protection and safeguarding which I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, have long been calling for, so it was vital for the safety of children that the bill was passed.
“Ironically, Reform failed to put forward tellers for the vote, and so the Bill went through by default.”
Pictured: MP Brian Mathew
