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A TOP Tory MP walked into a storm of controversy yesterday for condemning the opening of a clothes bank for desperate people as “political.”
Stockton South MP James Wharton accused union backers of the desperately needed provision of free clothes to victims of benefit cuts and austerity of “hijacking good causes to launch their attacks” before the general election.
He said there was “more than a hint of party politics” about this week’s opening of the County Durham Socialist Clothes Bank in the village of Brandon in County Durham.
Wharton this month joined the powerful 21-strong Tory Party board of directors.
His cynical comments brought a storm of protest.
Union Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “James Wharton’s comments attacking trade unionists and community activists who have come together to help people and make a difference in their community is shameful.
“Rather than shouting from the side-lines he would do well to ask himself why in one of the richest countries on the planet people have to rely on clothes banks and foodbanks?”
The clothes bank project is backed by the Durham Miners Association, Durham People’s Assembly and unions GMB, RMT and Unite.
It is in the Durham City constituency of Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods.
She told the Star: “James Wharton’s heartless attitude towards people in need does not surprise me at all. The Tories show not one jot of concern for the people suffering because of their unfair policies which give tax cuts to millionaires while cutting services for the most vulnerable.
“His total lack of understanding and compassion will not be missed by people in the north-east as we are proud of our strong tradition of communities supporting one another.”
Unite Community Durham branch secretary Trevor Bark added: “He is obviously trying to further his political career. He sees himself as a big cheese.
“The Tories have attacked foodbanks and are completely unwilling to accept the fact that people are without money and food because of their policies.
“Now it is the same with the clothes bank.”
