Published using Google Docs
DPAC OPEN LETTER to Swansea MPs
Updated automatically every 5 minutes

Invitation to debate disability benefit cuts with Swansea DPAC

21st April 2025

For the attention of:

Dear Torsten, Tonia, and Carolyn,

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) members in Swansea would like to, once again, repeat our invitation for you to publicly debate the issue of disability benefit cuts with us. We would ensure that the debate is carried out fairly, respectfully, and in an orderly fashion.

We hope that you respond before the end of the month to coordinate on a suitable date, otherwise we will have to book a venue for a time that may be less convenient for you.

We think holding the debate in public is important, given the way disabled people and carers have generally been ignored and "spoken about", rather than listened to, by MPs. We found much of the language used upsetting and insulting, and would appreciate a proper "right of reply". We also have serious concerns with the green paper consultation process itself, and do not have confidence that it will properly take our views into account.

For these reasons, we hope that you will accept our invitation to explain your views to our members, and publicly debate with us. Either way, we are determined to make sure that disabled people and carers are heard, and we will hold a public debate regardless of your attendance. Given multiple attempts to contact you so far, we would appreciate a reply no later than the 30th of April.

In this case, we have decided to make our letter public. We will be appealing to Labour-affiliated trade union branches and to the public for support. The South Wales Evening Post, the Western Mail, and the South Wales Echo have now also printed multiple letters inviting you to debate with us.

Yours faithfully,

Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts

https://linktr.ee/swanseaDPAC

swanseadpac@gmail.com

Support this letter:

Share URL: bit.ly/swansea-dpac-debate-invite

Add your signature: bit.ly/swansea-dpac-sign-letter

Labour-affiliated trade union members: bit.ly/swansea-dpac-labour-appeal

Replies from MPs.

We thank Tonia Antoniazzi MP for holding a respectful meeting with us. Here’s our report.

Carolyn Harris MP has so far just given us a copy & paste response in favour of the cuts, and refuses to talk to us further.

Torsten Bell MP has flatly refused to attend a public debate and has publicly insulted us.

Supported by (over 250 signatures):

Signatories state:

Signed by: