Club is ‘cross’ at MP’s free school meals veto
AJUNIOR football club has hit out against an MP’s decision to vote against the free school dinners campaign.
Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson was among 322 mainly Conservative MPs who snubbed a Labour motion backing Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals to disadvantaged children during the holidays.
But that decision angered Middleton Colts, who Mr Clarkson had visited earlier in July.
The club posted a photo from the visit on its Facebook page, with the MP obscured by a red cross.
Hundreds of people have commented on the post and it’s been shared more than 2,000 times.
The MP said he was “saddened” by the reaction.
Jonathan Munson, the club’s head of junior football, told the Observer he had nothing against Mr Clarkson personally, but disagreed with his vote.
He said: “It’s not about politics, it’s not Brexit, Labour or Conservative.
“I genuinely don’t think he’s a bad bloke and I think he’s done some brilliant things for the community.
“It’s purely about his decision not to support free dinners.
“We made a big deal out of it when he came to visit us, we gave him a lot of support. When he visited I told him we have about 30 kids who don’t pay £3 subs, because our big thing is that £3 is a meal to some families that can’t afford it.
“He stood there and said ‘That’s brilliant,’ so that decision just felt really sour.
“Heywood and Middleton is a deprived area. There are probably thousands of kids who would benefit (from free dinners). We’re a grassroots club and one of the things about grassroots football is helping the poorer people in the community.”
Mr Clarkson said: “I was saddened to see comments and reactions on Middleton Colts’ Facebook page.
“I understand that this issue has been elevated to a very emotive point on social media, but the comments did not reflect the fact that Rochdale council has been provided with £347,000 specifically to provide support for those struggling to afford food and essential supplies.
“My vote was not against providing support for children and adults here; I had already ensured that funding for that support had been provided to the council and I am pleased to see that it is being used this week to support families most in need. I and my team have been working with Middleton Colts since they contacted me to ask for help earlier this year, and I have been pleased to fight their corner when they told me others would not.
“I believe that I have done everything possible to help the club continue to provide sports for children in Middleton, but if there is anything else that Jonny or the club need I hope they know that my office will never turn its back on local people or the club and we will continue to support them how ever and whenever we can.”