Ross speaks up for WASPI women
Moray MP Douglas Ross stuck up for WASPI women for the second time in as many weeks when he spoke in a debate at the House of Commons last week.
Earlier this month Douglas was one of only five Conservative MPs to support a motion calling on the Government to look at transitional arrangements for women affected by changes to the state pension age.
Speaking this week Douglas reiterated his commitment and reason for voting against his party. He said: “This was a back bench business committee debate and I was happy to support the application to hold it to ensure we could have a full debate on WASPI on the floor of the House.
He added: “I was delighted to be able to welcome Jennifer Matheson from the Moray WASPI group to Parliament after she came to hear the debate. I spoke with her afterwards and I think she was happy with what I had said and the commitment I have shown.
“I made a deliberate choice to support the Moray WASPI group. This is because I have been contacted by ladies for whom the pension changes have been devastating as they have been left struggling financially, whereas they had thought they would be able to support themselves after retirement and they feel let down. This debate allowed me to share local cases with the whole house and I was grateful for the support of the local WASPI group in providing a really useful briefing for the debate.”
Douglas added: “When I signed the WASPI pledge in May, despite what some political opponents have said, it wasn’t just a photo opportunity for me. I signed up in support of the 6000 women in Moray affected by this and I have twice made my feelings clear in the House of Commons about the issue and I will continue to work on their behalf to get the result they deserve.”