AS your readers will be aware, the Labour Party has always opposed the introduction of the bedroom tax, which we believe to be unfair and which we are committed to repeal if we win the next election.

The Labour Party called the debate on the bedroom tax to set out our opposition and concerns about the effect it was having on many families.

We are unable to win a vote in the House without the support of the Lib Dems, which was never going to be forthcoming given the fact the bedroom tax was only introduced with their support in the first place.

I was away from the House on the day on Parliamentary business, but had already sought permission from the whips’ office weeks before and had arranged to be paired with a member from the Government parties.

I had arranged to be away from the House well before it was decided to hold the debate on the bedroom tax and once a pairing arrangement has been made, members are not allowed to vote even if they attend the debate.

We can never win a vote in the House without the support of Liberal Democrat MPs, due to the coalition’s overall majority.

Dave Watts

Labour MP for St Helens North