“Mobile Phones before food” Is ‘Awful Esther’ Right?

“Mobile Phones Before Food”. Is Esther McVey’ Right? Would Southport Support Her as Prime Minister?

Former Merseyside MP Esther McVey is sparking anger for seemingly blaming families on the bread line for prioritising computers and mobile phones over food.

The controversial ex-Work and Pensions secretary was the public face of Tory benefit policies like the Bedroom Tax and Universal Credit. Both of these measures have been widely blamed for pushing people into poverty right across the region – and the rise in the use of food banks.

In an interview in today’s Times, the former Wirral MP, who now represents affluent Knutsford, referenced the proliferation of food banks and said: “When I was growing up my parents put money into food, utility bills and the mortgage. Now people feel to be connected they’ve got to have an iPad and a phone that will help them with education and jobs.”

In her Times interview this weekend, Ms McVey, who believes she has a “fair shot” at becoming Prime Minister and would consider running in a leadership contest, revealed she voted for Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement. But she said: “I still believe it’s a bad deal, I have never changed on that.”