Video: Glenda Jackson MP demolishes Iain Duncan Smith

IDS has "plunged thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens into the most abject penury", said the Labour MP.

IDS has “plunged thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens into the most abject penury”, said the Labour MP

Yesterday’s House of Commons debate on the performance of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under Iain Duncan Smith was ignited by an intervention by Glenda Jackson. The Labour MP for Hampstead claimed that IDS had “plunged thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens into the most abject penury”.

“We are seeing people on ESA (employment support allowance) who are waiting months before their appeals will be heard, and during that period they are either told to apply to Jobseekers Allowance which they cannot do because they have been told they are unfit for work, and they are absolutely without any kind of financial support at all.”

You can view the video in full above.

23 Responses to “Video: Glenda Jackson MP demolishes Iain Duncan Smith”

  1. keeshond

    A bravura performance. Rather than sounding eccentric Glenda Jackson proves that it is possible to deliver a speech without notes without drawing attention to herself, judging by the lack of interest shown by most of the extras sitting alongside her.

  2. treborc1

    So do I the reason she is seen as being a bit eccentric is because the boys are a bit jealous she can actually say something, without dribbling.

  3. Norfolk29

    Queen Elizabeth 1 accepted the need for welfare during 1597 in the first recognised time for a late medieval monarch to do so. What a pity that a Roman Catholic Secretary of State (IDS) cannot do the same. Well done, Glenda. IDS is a disgrace to his church and his god.

  4. Peter Arnott

    Labour voted with the Tories for the Welfare cap. That is, they agreed in principle that the transient priorities of the few outweigh the needs of the many..and sanctioned the principle in law. Wizard wheeze in the Westminster village. Slow death from self poisoning will follow. Starting in Scotland. (It’s not just the Tories who are toxic now). Nice speech, Glenda…shame about the party who have left you, and your constituents, to rot.

  5. Matthew Blott

    Nice one. This must be one of those nutty people taking over the Labour party Dan Hodges keeps telling us about.

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