Conservative councillors stormed out of Hertsmere’s council chamber this week after Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors prevented a vote on a motion about the government’s decision to means-test winter fuel allowance payments to pensioners.
Tory councillors had called on the borough council to bring forward a “local awareness campaign” to encourage people to apply for pension credit, and to sign a ‘save the winter fuel payment’ petition organised by Age UK.
They also asked the leader of the council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, to write to Chancellor Rachel Reeves “urging a review of the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment”.
It follows the government’s announcement that universal winter fuel payments will now be restricted to those on pension credit.
But the Conservative motion in Hertsmere at Wednesday’s (September 25) meeting was never brought to a vote, as Labour cabinet member Cllr Christian Gray proposed a motion to refer the matter to the council’s leader instead.
After Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted Cllr Gray’s motion through, Conservative councillors walked out of the chamber.
He said it was the first time “in a quarter of a century” that Conservative councillors had walked out of a meeting, and added: “This isn’t games, it’s about pensioners first.”
Cllr Gray, however, insisted the Conservatives were “using the elderly as political pawns”. He said: “I’ve never seen anything like it. It was like watching children throw a tantrum.”
“Instead, it leads towards dog whistle politics designed to create division rather than foster unity.”
During the meeting, Cllr Bright said ending the universal allowance was a “politically foolish and heartless decision”.
“Yes, governing is about choices, it’s about juggling needs, it’s about spinning the plates of conflicting financial pressures, but did Labour really need to grab this money back from the elderly?
“You cannot fill a black hole by throwing our pensioners into it.
“I want us to join together to help our elderly vulnerable in a practical way.
As the Conservatives left the chamber, Cllr Gray said: “Very happy to collect their allowances … but not happy to do the work are they?”
He said the council’s “partnership team” is “actively engaged in older peoples’ groups across the borough to raise awareness of the Age UK campaign which encourages the uptake of pension credit”.
Cllr Gray said: “Similarly, we’re working hand-in-hand with our voluntary and community organisations playing a key role in raising awareness and supporting people through the application processes.
“In addition, the health and wellbeing policy manager from our partnerships team has been invited to participate in a county-wide older peoples’ focus group.
“This group forms part of a broader cost of living workstream aimed at addressing the challenges facing the community’s elderly population.”
He said the borough council was also using Household Support Fund money “to support local food banks and their initiatives”, and that the council is “in the process of establishing a cross-party working group to explore how this authority can take meaningful action to make a difference”.
“This assistance not only provides food but also helps with energy bills for those in greatest need.”
Cllr Gray added, however, that there was “much more that we can must do”.
Another Labour cabinet member, Cllr Chris Myers, said means testing the allowance “does not sit well with anybody”.
“This isn’t something that anybody wanted, but we cannot ignore financial chaos left behind by the previous Conservative government.
“We’re ensuring the support goes to those who genuinely need it.
“Is it right to offer millionaire pensioners the same help as those living on the breadline? Labour’s answer is no.
“We believe in targeted, responsible support, not wasteful handouts.”
Conservative Cllr Alex Clarkson said Liberal Democrat MPs had opposed the means-testing of the universal allowance and pointed to Labour and Liberal Democrat-run councils that are providing funds and grants to “vulnerable pensioners”.
He said: “We can do more as a council … Let’s support our pensioners, let’s give them the help, let’s give them the resources that they deserve, they worked for, and they’re entitled to.”
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