Question Time audience member scoffs at Tory MP’s claim the government are ‘looking after the least fortunate in our society’ ‘I think for you to sit there and say the Tories are looking after the most vulnerable in society is absolutely appalling’

A Question Time member scoffed at a Tory MP’s claim the Conservative government are “looking after the least fortunate in our society.”

The audience member took umbrage with Central Devon MP Mel Stride’s comments that the Conservative Party “is united around a progressive political agenda that is about looking after the least fortunate in our society.”

‘Every day I see people who are ill being made even more ill’

The MP, who is Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said absolute poverty levels are at a record low under the current government.

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But the audience member in Chester branded the claim “appalling.”

“I think for you to sit there and say the Tories are looking after the most vulnerable in society is absolutely appalling,” said the woman.

‘I think for you to sit there and say that the Tories are looking after the most vulnerable in society is absolutely appalling’

This audience member criticises the austerity measures adopted by the government. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/RGVi92FCzr — BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) February 21, 2019

The information and advocacy officer, who assists people suffering from multiple sclerosis, said the government’s benefit payments system is making those struggling “even more ill.”

“Every day I see people in my job who are ill, and who are being made even more ill because of PIP (personal independence payments.”

The payment, which is given to those who are assessed as too ill to work, is a source of controversy, with claimants such as Lewis Saunders telling i they have had their payments withdrawn even though they are unwell.

His mother Zoe gave up her job to care for her son full time and has since been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Due to his payments being stopped, she was unable to apply for Carer’s Allowance.

The hopeful claimants who want to get their payment reinstated have to wait for a tribunal hearing with the government to see if they can reclaim the payment.

‘They are very unwell,” continued the audience member.

“The PIP process is making them even more unwell. It takes over a year to get to a tribunal and the decisions are usually overturned.”

“In the meantime, they’re left without their mobility cars, they can’t travel. They’re living in absolute poverty, and that is all because of austerity and the Tory government,” she added.

Government ‘left in a mess’

Mr Stride, however, insisted the government was “left in a mess” by the Labour government’s last administration.

Presenter Fiona Bruce didn’t take too kindly to the remarks, stating the Labour government “was last in power nine years ago.”

The MP insisted unemployment figures are also at a record low.

Labour MP and transport shadow secretary Andy McDonald also disputed Mr Stride’s remarks.

He said: “To think for one minute that the Conservative party are looking after the majority of people in this country is one of the most shameful things I have heard.

‘To think for one minute that the Conservative party are looking after the majority of people in this country is one of the most shameful things I have heard’

Labour's @AndyMcDonaldMP attacks Tory welfare reforms. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/cFBtCY78jy — BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) February 21, 2019

Where is the centre ground in bedroom tax, in people waiting for universal credit for five weeks, in food banks or in poverty, or the huge growth in zero hours contracts?” he asked the MP.

“Ordinary people are taking the burden,” he added.