Oppose the Bedroom Tax? The Lib Dems have had at least 6 chances to oppose it – and failed

Lib Dem President Tim Farron was briefing the press overnight that he’s ‘withdrawing’ the party’s support for the Bedroom Tax. The Guardian reported Farron as saying:

“The bedroom tax causes huge social problems and distorts the market – we as a party cannot support this.”

But this is duplicitous at best from Farron, because both he and his party leader have had at least six chances to oppose the Bedroom Tax, and failed on each of these occasions:

1. 2^nd reading- 9^th March 2011 – Welfare Reform Act 2012 Division 219: Clegg didn’t vote, Tim Farron voted with government
2. 2^nd reading- 9^th March 2011 – Welfare Reform Act 2012 Division 220: Clegg didn’t vote, Tim Farron voted with government
3. Report stage- 13^th June 2011 – Welfare Reform Act 2012 Division 288: Clegg and Farron didn’t vote
4. Report stage second- 15^th June 2011 – Welfare Reform Act 2012: Clegg and Farron didn’t vote
5. Third reading- 15^th June 2011 – Welfare Reform Act 2012: Clegg and Farron didn’t vote
6. Ian Lavery’s 10 min rule bill – 12^th February 2014: Clegg and Farron didn’t vote

Farron did vote against the Bedroom Tax once – in November 2013 – but went back to abstaining/not voting three months later. Hardly the actions of someone who truly believe it “causes huge social problems”.

Labour will be testing the Lib Dems conversion to opposing the Bedroom Tax in the Lords this week, and in the Commons ASAP. Lets see if their actions match Farron’s belated words.