General Discussion

Climate Change

From 2010 to 2015, Swinson voted alongside the Tories on numerous anti-environmental measures, including:

• October 2012: Jo Swinson voted with the Tories against measures to compel the UK Green Investment Bank to support a target of reducing UK carbon emissions
• June 2013: Jo Swinson voted with the Tories against measures to introduce a cap on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions
• December 2013: Jo Swinson voted against measures to introduce emission performance standards on existing fossil fuel power stations
• 2015: Jo Swinson repeatedly voted against measures to regulate the highly controversial and environmentally damaging process of Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
• 2010: Jo Swinson voted in favour of raising tution fees to £9,000 a year



• Austerity

  Swinson also repeatedly voted alongside the Tories in implementing devastating cuts to public services and vital welfare benefits, including:

  • 2012-14: Jo Swinson repeatedly voted alongside the Tories in favour of the widely-hated Bedroom Tax
  • 2010-2015: Jo Swinson repeatedly voted alongside the Tories in favour of reducing welfare payments to the sick and disabled
  • 2011: Jo Swnson voted alongside the Tories for drastic funding cuts to Local Councils

  Tuition Fees

  Swinson’s voting record regarding education and younger people is little better:

• • 2011: Jo Swinson voted to scrap the Education Maintenance Allowance for younger people aged 16-19 in further education

  Furthermore, despite describing herself as a ‘progressive’, Swinson’s voting record often seems to favour the rich and powerful, having voted against a banker’s bonus tax, against the mansion tax, in favour of reducing corporation tax, and has spoken in glowing terms of zero hour contracts.

  The new Lib Dem leader also appears to be in favour of further privatisaton, having voted in favour of the now widely-lambasted decision to sell off the Royal Mail.

•  

  Voted for raising the rate of VAT to 20% in 2011; and against plans to reduce it to 17.5% in 2013.