Labour MP Accused of Hypocrisy After Supporting Cuts He Once Warned Against

As Scotland faces a cost-of-living crisis, the SNP is calling out Blair McDougall, former Chief of the Better Together campaign, for his hypocritical stance on cuts to disability benefits. McDougall, along with a group of right-wing Scottish Labour MPs, has publicly supported a £6 billion reduction to the UK’s social security system – a move that will have devastating consequences for disabled people across the country.

Let’s not forget what McDougall and his Better Together colleagues claimed during the 2014 independence referendum. They warned voters that social security payments to disabled people would be at risk if Scotland voted for independence. They claimed that a “No” vote was necessary to protect vulnerable groups from drastic cuts, and made alarming claims about the uncertainty disabled people would face in an independent Scotland.

A tweet with the text "Leading economist Prof Bell predicts need for tax rises to pay for pensions & benefits in separate Scotland #indyref"
A tweet with the text "Gordon Brown in Dundee: "Our UK welfare state offers better protection for pensioners, disabled and the unemployed." there is an image of Gordon Brown speaking.
A tweet with the text "Better Together @UK_Together Disability rights activist Pam says progress for disabled people is best secured through working together. #indyref"

A tweet from Scope on 11th March 2025, it reads Fast forward to today, and McDougall is now backing a set of cuts that threaten to push 700,000 disabled people into poverty. A coalition of charities, including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Mencap, Mind, and Citizens Advice, has condemned these cuts as “catastrophic.” Their joint statement highlights that without Personal Independence Payments (PIP), an additional 700,000 disabled households could fall into poverty. Disabled people already face higher living costs due to their additional needs, and these cuts will only make things worse.

During the election, the SNP warned that the Labour Party’s spending plans would lead to billions of pounds in cuts, a claim that was dismissed by Anas Sarwar, who famously said, “Read my lips: no austerity under Labour.” However, since the election, Labour has already made significant cuts—including reducing the winter fuel payment and slashing international aid. Now, they are pushing forward with £6 billion of welfare cuts, further harming the most vulnerable in society.

The recent cuts to the UK’s social security system will not only harm disabled people directly but will also reduce the funding Scotland receives to support those individuals. This creates a vicious cycle where Scotland’s ability to protect and support its most vulnerable citizens is undermined by Westminster’s decisions. Only through full Scottish independence can we truly take control of our finances and our future. With the power to raise and allocate funds without interference from Westminster, we can ensure that disability benefits are properly funded and protected. Independence would allow us to implement policies that genuinely prioritise the needs of disabled people, without the constant threat of cuts and financial constraints imposed by the UK government. Only then can we guarantee a fair society that upholds the rights and dignity of everyone, no matter their circumstances.