Nigel Farage brands free school meal vote ‘mean and wrong’

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Nigel Farage has joined Labour and food poverty campaigners in criticising the Government for its refusal to extend free school meals over the holidays.

A Labour motion inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign was defeated in the Commons by 261 votes to 322 on Wednesday night.

The Brexit Party leader compared the Government’s policy of subsidising restaurant meals in the summer with the refusal to extend free school to Easter 2021.

He tweeted on Thursday morning: “If the government can subsidise Eat Out to Help Out, not being seen to give poor kids lunch in the school holidays looks mean and is wrong.”

Mr Farage’s stance surprised many social media users, with one commenting that the former UKIP leader now “looks less right-wing than the Government”.

“Government condemned for lack of compassion over free school meals by bleeding heart leftie *checks notes* Nigel Farage,” tweeted journalist Hannah Al-Othman.

“2020 is definitely proving to be one for the history books because why am I agreeing with Nigel Farage?” wrote another user.

“If you’re keeping score at home, the UK government has now gone to the right of Nigel Farage,” commented another.

MPs vote against move to support Marcus Rashford’s free school meals campaign

The intense fallout over the vote intensified after a Government aide resigned over the move.

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell, a parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was one of five Conservatives who backed the Labour motion .

In a statement this morning, Ms Ansell said: “In these unprecedented times, I am very concerned to be doing all we can to help lower-income families and their children who are really struggling due to the impact of the virus.”

“Therefore, last night, I voted for Labour’s motion on extending free school meal vouchers until after Easter 2021 for those families in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit.”

England football star Rashford, who was made an MBE this month, has vowed to continue his campaign for free school meals for country’s 1.4 million eligible children.

More about: | Marcus Rashford | Nigel Farage | Caroline Ansell | Brexit Party | Free School Meals