Labour candidate accuses Rochdale MP of disabled travel double standards

Date published: 05/06/2007

Simon Danczuk, Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, has described the Rochdale Liberal Democrat MP’s position on concessionary bus fares and disabled parking in Rochdale as hypocritical.

The concessionary bus fares scheme aims to ensure that bus travel remains within the means of those on limited incomes and those who have mobility difficulties, forming part of the Labour Government's attempts to tackle social exclusion.

In his regular 'Letter from Parliament' column, featured on Rochdale Online, Rochdale MP Paul Rowen wrote that he 'broadly welcomed' the scheme but that he had some concerns that it did not extend to community transport, that local council's may not be fully reimbursed for the cost and that the scheme was not available to carers or those suffering from mental disabilities.

Simon Danczuk said: "Lib Dem Paul Rowen MP has attacked the Labour Government’s Concessionary Bus Fares Bill, which gives free bus travel to older people and those with a physical disability, whilst his own Lib Dem Council has introduced parking charges for disabled car users in Rochdale. I’m disappointed with his double standards and have written asking him to explain his position."

He continued: "Paul Rowen MP was a member of the Lib Dem run Council who introduced parking charges for disabled people in Rochdale and now he’s trying to score political points by attacking what the vast majority of people in this country believe is an excellent policy from our Labour Government. Whilst Labour is making travel easier for Rochdale people the Liberal Democrat run council is making it harder for those with a disability. I’m extremely disappointed that the Liberal Democrat MP is trying to politically spin the public when it’s clear he has played a part in restricting travel for some of our more vulnerable residents."

Mr. Danczuk finally commented: "I’ve written to Mr Rowen asking him to clearly state what his position is on charges for disabled people in Rochdale. Is Mr Rowen really saying it is important for physically disabled people to get free travel on buses – thanks to a Labour Government – but disabled car users in Rochdale should be charged for parking by a Liberal Democrat Council of which he’s been a member?"