The Guardian has published a piece by freelance journalist Frances Ryan on why she will be joining Disability Labour, a new wing of the Labour party to support disabled people.{jcomments on}
Frances writes:
“The Labour party has just launched Disability Labour: an affiliate of the party designed to support the interests of disabled people. It's run by a newly elected executive committee – all disabled themselves – and, for £15, disabled Labour party members are being asked to join. I will. Go to the website – this is a pre-election call to arms. David Cameron is putting the rights of disabled people "under threat", it says. Labour, meanwhile, would scrap the bedroom tax – which is disproportionately hitting disabled people with a "spare" room where they store vital equipment or a carer can stay the night. It also plans to tackle hate crime, disability poverty and the "demeaning" rhetoric around disabled people.
“It is rare to see a mainstream political party build its own disability wing. It sits in stark contrast to this coalition government, which is practically defined by its disregard for disabled people's lives.”
Will you be handing over your £15 (£10 unwaged) and joining Disability Labour? Let us know in the comments section below.
