The Conservative group on Wiltshire Council has been accused of “duplicity and dishonesty” during a debate on the Winter Fuel Payments (WFP).

Wiltshire Council has passed a motion that opposes the decision by the Labour government to cut WFP for pensioners who don’t receive pension credit.

This motion was approved at the full council meeting on Tuesday, October 15, during which council leader Richard Clewer described the cut as “the wrong thing to do”.

However, despite agreeing with the motion, the Liberal Democrats in attendance questioned the timing of this stance.

READ MORE: Wiltshire councillors in debate over winter fuel payment dispute

Wiltshire Council's full council meeting was held in Trowbridge County Hall.Wiltshire Council's full council meeting was held in Trowbridge County Hall. (Image: Wiltshire Council) The motion was submitted by Conservative Cllrs Elizabeth Threlfall and Pauline Church and requested that Cllr Richard Clewer write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging a review of Labour's decision.

Independent Cllr Jon Hubbard asked: “I am perplexed, why is this concern only surfacing now for those who are being hard hit from benefit cuts from central government?

“Where was this outrage during the brutal benefit cuts of the last 14 years of Conservative rule?”

He added: “If we do truly care about improving the lives of our residents, let’s stop playing politics, let’s stop cherry picking on any side of this chamber the issues we think can hurt others, and instead let’s work together to create real, tangible change for Wiltshire and to give our people the quality of life they deserve.”

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Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Sample branded the approach as “duplicity and dishonesty”.

He said: “You have not given us any support whatsoever in those 14 years and you are just starting to learn to be part of the opposition, and it is too late.

“People are not going to be fooled.”  

Conservative Cllr Nabil Najjar said: “Opposition is easy, governing is harder, and difficult decisions need to be made, but I think on this particular one we can all agree; this is the wrong decision.”

Labour Cllr Ricky Rogers agreed with the motion but noted: “Let’s not kid ourselves, there are millions of pensioners who get this allowance, like me, who don’t need it.”

Labour has said this move is part of a series of cuts designed to plug a £22bn hole in the finances left by the previous government, which the Conservatives deny.

Ultimately, of the councillors present at the meeting, 74 voted in approval of the WFP motion whilst three abstained.

Cllr Threlfall concluded: “I wanted to thank all the councillors who have spoken for their support, even if some of it was couched in slightly less supportive language.”