I NOTE that Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow dutifully traipsed through the Westminster lobbies in support of the Social Care Amendment Bill on the coattails of her adored leader, insecure in the knowledge that it could be reversed and her moral judgement on such matters questioned again. 

The Prime Minister described this Bill as being generous and that no one need sell their home to pay for social care - the former debatable, the latter almost unbelievable. 

Unless you have £86,000 in cash, you’re going to have to sell something to pay future care bills. That’s more than likely your house! 

Nevertheless, Ms Pow’s constituents should be thankful, the average house price in Somerset is £307,000 which in the worst case scenario leaves £221,000 that can be bequeathed to the next generation. 

Tough on those living in Hartlepool, however, where the average house price is £136,000, while those resident in Kingston on Thames get to pass on £657,000. 

In other words, we have a social care policy that massively benefits the wealthy, paid for by regressive taxes (National Insurance) disproportionately borne by the poor. 

As things stand, we could all potentially be stripped down to our last £14,000 before we get care fees paid. 

I think this is where we are supposed to applaud generosity.

READ MORE: Social care reform: How Somerset MPs voted

Now, if we were discussing Universal Credit, we would be told about the fairness of a sliding scale.

Ms Pow, we know you are an ambitious politician, which may explain your voting record - but where does your conscience lie on this matter? 

DAVID SMITH
Bradford on Tone