People left empty plates with messages about hungry children outside a local Tory headquarters after their MP voted against providing free school meals for children over the school holidays.
The issue of free school meals has been cast into mainstream conversation in recent months, thanks in no small part to the activism of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who has been a vocal proponent for tackling child food poverty.
Southend West MP Sir David Amess was one of the 322 Tories who voted against the Labour Party motion to provide free school meals for children during the half-term break and Christmas holidays.
His constituents left symbolic empty plates outside the local party headquarters and Conservative Club. The plates and posters had messages written on them including: ‘No child should go hungry’, ‘Tories for the few not the many’ and ‘lunch is not a luxury’.

The protests were just the latest example of public outrage at the Tories apparent willingness to allow the country’s most vulnerable children to go hungry, while they themselves are the recipients of taxpayer subsidies on their own meals at work.
Earlier this week a petition was launched to end the subsidisation of MPs meals, which reportedly costs the taxpayer £57,000 per week.
End subsidised food and alcohol in Parliament and the LordsIt now costs the British taxpayer more than £6 million pounds per annum to supply public servants with subsidised food and alcohol. Given the recent MP salary increase to £74000 (before expenses), it’s not unreasonable to expect that they pay for subsistence in the same way the majority of other workers do. The average wage in the UK is £26000 – £74000 pa from the public purse is quite enough. Equality with other workers!
Here is the petition if you wish to add your name: LINK
PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE
This is a "Pay as You Feel" website.
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. If you've enjoyed reading the articles on Labour Heartlands so far, We would be incredibly grateful if you could consider making a small donation. Labour Heathlands is not your typical news outlet. We are not here to simply regurgitate the daily news cycle, that's for the rest of them. Our focus is on delving deeper, uncovering the untold stories and shedding light on the issues that the mainstream media chooses to ignore.
Our unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity means that we are not influenced by any external forces. We are not beholden to PR companies, advertisers or press barons, and we refuse to let anyone dictate what we report on. Our editorial independence is sacrosanct, and our only allegiance is to the truth.
While we do not align ourselves with any particular political party, we stand firmly against corruption, injustice and the erosion of truth and the rule of law. We believe that accurate information is the lifeblood of a democracy and that facts are not up for debate.
Once again, thank you for your support – We truly couldn't do this without you!