Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, has dismissed Stephen Byers's claim that his bid to abolish inheritance tax is key to electoral success in her constituency.
Following his article in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Byers used a press release to single out Emily's constituency as a key marginal seat that would benefit most from getting rid of inheritance tax.
However, Emily has spoken out against this, saying that what people in Islington want are policies based on real Labour values.
Emily said:
"No one likes paying tax and I'm sure there are a few people who would vote for me if I said let's abolish inheritance tax. But I'm not prepared to chase a few votes by pretending to be a Tory - I'm Labour and abolishing inheritance tax isn't. Most people in Islington realise we're one community here and the only way to tackle problems is to share our resources and stick together."
Emily's constituency is the poorer half of the 8th poorest borough in the country. She says Mr Byers should come to her constituency to see the positive effects on Islington of the £3.6bn that inheritance tax raises.
Emily said:
"Stephen Byers doesn't understand the real Islington if he thinks abolishing inheritance tax is what people want. Islington is not all leafy lanes and coffee shops - we've got 13,000 families on the waiting list for social housing and over 40% of Islington primary school children get free school meals. If Mr Byers came to one of my surgeries many of the stories would break his heart.
"I'd be happy to introduce him to people on estates across Islington who would remind him in no uncertain terms that only a Government based on Labour values would be investing £157m in improving their homes at the moment. We've achieved a lot, and we need more real Labour policies in the future, not a tax break for the wealthy."
