Tory MS under fire for comparing Universal Basic Income to giving money to ‘rapists and murderers’
A Tory MS is under fire for comparing Universal Basic Income (UBI) to giving money to “rapists and murderers”
Peter Fox, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance in the Senedd, has hit out at the idea of providing every adult with a fixed income every month that would be enough to pay for all basic essentials, claiming it would be a “dystopian nightmare”.
Fox, who represents the Monmouth constituency, criticised a move by the Welsh Government to pilot a UBI scheme, in an article for Mail+, a digital platform from Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.
His comments in the right-wing publication have been fiercely criticised.
UBI Lab Cymru said: “Comparing recipients of #UBI to ‘rapists and murders’ taking your money from you on the street is absolutely disgusting.
“This coming from a man elected to represent Wales in the #Senedd. What on earth is wrong with you @PeterFox61?”
Welsh Government minister Lee Waters said: “What happened to Peter Fox? I wish he’d come back.”
Labour councillor Gething Jones said: “This was @WelshConserv argument against free prescriptions which they very cynically spent the Senedd elections pretending they had changed their mind about.
“Bizarre from a party funded by millionaires who have cripplied (sic) the criminal justice system (450 gwent police cut alone).”
Ewan Hilton said: “Whether you like UBI or not what we definitely don’t need is scaremongering opposition politicians and a Westminster led welfare system that is cruel, punitive, prevents movement forward abs at its worst kills people.”
Social media expert Owen Williams said: “What are they putting in the Monmouth water? Because this is an absolutely bonkers take.”
Consultant Stephen Brooks said: “I’m sceptical about UBI too to be honest, but framing it like this is quite something.”
‘Millionaires’
In an opinion piece for the Mail+, Peter Fox said: “Imagine a world where every month super-rich Premier League footballers, millionaires or even rapists and murderers stopped you on the street, demanded you hand over your wallet and then rummaged through it, extracting a few crisps notes, before strolling off scot-free.
“I’d imagine you’d be pretty annoyed. And probably putting in a swift call to the local constabulary.
“No, this isn’t a joke, or even a far-off dystopian nightmare. But this could be about to be a reality in Labour-run Wales… and could easily quickly roll out to the rest of the United Kingdom.
“Despite the Western world being plunged into one of its biggest crises since World War II thanks to Covid-19, the Labour Government wants to impose ideological-driven Universal Basic Income (UBI).
“This socialism-inspired policy, believed to have its roots in Alaska, is a flat monthly income for all residents, regardless of their financial position.
“The idea is that it can reduce poverty and boost well-being – but detractors say it is wildly expensive, manifestly unfair as it isn’t means tested and reduces aspiration.”
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People of Monmouth. Are you happy with your choice of politician? Is this Monmouth MS worth the salary he’s paid? Whatever your political leanings this isn’t the most intelligent of arguments, but then again he’s got publicity from the Mail so maybe this will earn him points…. It works for the party’s leader in Westminster after all ….
He was earning twice his salary when he was leader of Monmouthshire CC.
I quite like the man. He has been very Wales and Cymraeg positive during his time leading the council.
Seems to be under the impression that UBI is only for Tories. As for thinking that the Sarah Palin voting Alaskans are Socialist the only excuse for that are the Tory cuts to mental health services.
He also seems to be unaware that the dividend, from oil exploitation in Alaska, pays out maybe a couple of thousand dollars in a good year. As for UBI being a socialist idea, well, the libertarians of Silicon Valley, many of them Ayn Rand acolytes, also favour the introduction of UBI. The truth is that opinions right across the political spectrum vary about UBI. The more realistic, grounded voices, such as Professor Guy Standing and Yanis Varoufakis and others point out that it could solve some of the problems that society is going to face as more and more workers… Read more »
Agreed, UBI can be approached from various positions. Glad to see so many sceptics have come out to cll this nonsense just that. It seems that the Conservative and Unionist party will only resort to trite campfire tales to make their point. I’m sceptical that UBI can work in its maximal form – but if there is anywhere that some form of the concept would work, it’d be Wales – highly educated yet underpaid, not much inward investment, poor in terms of international brand presence but brimming with highly creative people. Whether based on existing models like Alaska or the… Read more »
This from a member of the party which shovels billions of public money to outfits which have no experience of the job so they cause deaths and damage. he ignores the many international pilot projects of UBI ishow yes it does “reduce poverty and boost well-being”. Nor is it any more unfair than means testing which a) deters some from applying and b) lets many fall through the net and c) costs a huge amount to check every applicant, money better simply given to them at a flat rate. But then this is a Tory. They don’t want to “reduce… Read more »
Peter Fox hang your pathetic Tory head in shame. You compare the idea of UBI as giving money to rapists & murderers? Which is Ironic from a man who represents a party that protected & knighted serial paedophile Jimmy Saville , whose celebrated leader Margret Thatcher wined & dined at chequers, tinpot dictator responsible the the deaths of dozens of political adversaries who were likely thrown from planes over the south Atlantic, one Augustus Pinochet. You and your vile bilious party of crooks & deviants are beyond contempt.
There are both left-wing and right-wing cases for UBI.
Mr Fox is right to say that if UBI is to be truly universal, those who have chosen not to be a part of our society through criminal action will also benefit. This isn’t a tough concept to grasp.
If UBI is to be introduced, it stands to reason that criminals shouldn’t benefit from it during or after they are released from prison.
The “dystopian nightmare” is waking up to find another bunch of self serving tory knighthood jockeys have succeeded the current version of prime minister when they throw the incumbent idiot out. (note-“them” not “us”). The English will never have enough of this…. We need independence now. Monmouth will vote for anybody spouting this kind of tripe e.g. Davies.
Can supporting tax havens be seen as throwing money at thieves as we as rapists and murderers?
Can supporting tax havens be seen as throwing money at thieves as well as rapists and murderers? -sorry