On 2 April the Learning Disability Alliance is holding a citizen’s jury, where its members – people with learning disabilities and their supporters – will be quizzing members of political parties about their policies.
On 2 April the Learning Disability Alliance is holding a citizen’s jury, where its members – people with learning disabilities and their supporters – will be quizzing members of political parties about their policies.
To date four of the invited parties, UKIP, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Labour have confirmed attendance. The Conservative Party has yet to respond, and seems willing to risk being empty-chaired . It is puzzling that the Conservatives might not attend.
After all, David Cameron is proud of his welfare reforms so why wouldn’t his party want a representative to present this message? And although the LDA’s recent quality check rated the government 2/10, this hasn’t put the Liberal Democrats off from coming to defend their record. Surely the Conservatives aren’t afraid of a challenge? I certainly hope that it’s not that they don’t believe people with learning disabilities are worth talking to. Particularly since David Cameron has signed the Mencap ‘Hear my voice’ pledge to listen to people with learning disabilities .
In fact the Prime Minister has also said, ‘It is really important that as well as providing the support that people with learning disabilities and their families need, MPs of all parties listen to the challenges that they face.’ The citizen’s jury is a perfect opportunity to do this. Why on earth have the Conservative party not confirmed they are coming?
Still, at least there is one Conservative MP who seems willing to embrace voters with learning disabilities this week. At the weekend Esther McVey, the minister for disabled people put out an election leaflet, which carried a photo of her besides members of the self advocacy People First. But what looks like at first sight like a positive endorsement of people with learning disabilities, turns out to be nothing of the sort. The photo was taken after the group had met the minister at the Conservative Party conference, and the people in it do not appear to have been asked whether it could be used for her campaign. People First was very quick to say on twitter that it is politically neutral . Whilst Kaliya Franklin, who works for the organisation and is a prominent campaigner against welfare cuts expressed her surprise at being included .
At the time of writing – 31st March – the citizen’s jury is two days away. The Conservatives still have time to confirm attendance or face the empty chair. I know from experience that such events are always better with the right people in the room (and I’m pleased to say to my knowledge my local Conservative councillors have never refused such a meeting), so I hope they show up. And even it if is an uncomfortable afternoon, it would be a wise move to participate. Otherwise, LDA members will be left with the distinct impression the Conservatives are only prepared to engage with people with learning disabilities when it provides them with a good photo opportunity.
* More on the issues in the 2015 General Election from Ekklesia: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/generalelection2015
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© Virginia Moffatt is chief operating officer of Ekklesia. Before working for Ekklesia, she spent 30 years working in services for people with learning disabilities, most recently for Oxfordshire County Council.