The Vale of Clwyd MP, who voted against the motion in the House of Commons to scrap a 5% tax on sanitary products, said he was the victim of social media bullying
A social media storm broke out after an MP blocked constituents in a Twitter row over the so-called “tampon tax.”
Vale of Clwyd Tory, Dr James Davies faced a backlash after voting against abolishing VAT on sanitary products.
He today claimed he was the victim of social media bullying and faced a torrent of abuse.
He said he blocked people who had tweeted or re-tweeted offensive comments that were directed at him.
Dr Davies was among 11 Welsh MPs who voted against the motion in the House of Commons - which means women will continue paying a 5% tax on sanitary products.
A number of people who challenged him through social media found themselves blocked from interacting with him on his Twitter account.
Dr Davies replied: “Would agree but UK gov is prevented by EU rules from reducing VAT below 5%. Gov has pledged to challenge this.”
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When asked why he didn’t vote to abolish the tampon tax, Dr Davies replied: “Because to vote for something you don’t have the power to do just makes a mockery of the system.”
After Kay responded by saying: “So @jamesdaviesmp forgets how any change in history has ever happened,” she found herself blocked by the MP.
Speaking to the Daily Post, Kay said: “It is cowardly and ridiculous that an MP would block non-abusive constituents who act well within their rights to question the voting choices and decisions made.
“None of these constituents, myself included, were in any way abusive, rude, or aggressive, we simply questioned his choices in a reasoned manner, and stated why we disagreed with them.”
Two other constituents, Katy West and Samantha Flaherty were also blocked by the MP.
Samantha said: “I would have welcomed a better explanation about the issue and instead I am now blocked.”
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Kay has now launched a petition calling for measures to be put in place to stop MPs from blocking non-abusive constituents on social media.
“I will however often respond on Twitter and Facebook in public or private in an effort to be as accessible as possible. You can imagine this is pretty hard work 24/7.”
He added: “I will not accept bullying and need to concentrate on useful work as an MP, not continual Twitter notifications from those who are being aggressive.”
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Dr Davies said he is not against removing tax on tampons but tried to explain that as a member of the EU, the UK cannot unilaterally zero-rate any item from VAT without each of the 28 other country members of the EU, and the European Commission, giving its approval.
With a 305 to 287 vote against the motion, which was brought by Labour, the tax on tampons is enforced by the EU because they are not considered essential items.
All 11 Welsh MPs who voted against removing the tax were male Conservative MPs, including Guto Bebb who represents Aberconwy and David Jones who represents Clwyd West.
Only three Conservative MPs voted for the motion and all 213 Labour MPs supported the abolition of the tax.
The 5% tax on sanitary products in the UK is lower than in any other EU country.
Following the vote, Treasury Minister David Gauke promised to challenge the European Commission on creating the “flexibility” for member states to zero rate women’s sanitary products.
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Vale of Clwyd Tory, Dr James Davies faced a backlash after voting against abolishing VAT on sanitary products.
He today claimed he was the victim of social media bullying and faced a torrent of abuse.
He said he blocked people who had tweeted or re-tweeted offensive comments that were directed at him.
Dr Davies was among 11 Welsh MPs who voted against the motion in the House of Commons - which means women will continue paying a 5% tax on sanitary products.
.@jamesdaviesmp would you please explain to your constituents why you feel the menstrual cycle is a luxury that should be subject to VAT?
— Kay (@kaysharpstuff) October 27, 2015
A number of people who challenged him through social media found themselves blocked from interacting with him on his Twitter account.
'Cowardly and ridiculous'
Kay Sharp from Rhuddlan tweeted: “@jamesdaviesmp would you please explain to your constituents why you feel the menstrual cycle is a luxury that should be subject to VAT?”Dr Davies replied: “Would agree but UK gov is prevented by EU rules from reducing VAT below 5%. Gov has pledged to challenge this.”
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When asked why he didn’t vote to abolish the tampon tax, Dr Davies replied: “Because to vote for something you don’t have the power to do just makes a mockery of the system.”
After Kay responded by saying: “So @jamesdaviesmp forgets how any change in history has ever happened,” she found herself blocked by the MP.
Speaking to the Daily Post, Kay said: “It is cowardly and ridiculous that an MP would block non-abusive constituents who act well within their rights to question the voting choices and decisions made.
So #valeofclwyd MP @jamesdaviesmp forgets how any change in history has ever happened ... #classictory #noconscience pic.twitter.com/XSrfIEvJFA
— Kay (@kaysharpstuff) October 27, 2015
“None of these constituents, myself included, were in any way abusive, rude, or aggressive, we simply questioned his choices in a reasoned manner, and stated why we disagreed with them.”
Two other constituents, Katy West and Samantha Flaherty were also blocked by the MP.
Samantha said: “I would have welcomed a better explanation about the issue and instead I am now blocked.”
A55 congestion debate requested at House of Commons
Kay has now launched a petition calling for measures to be put in place to stop MPs from blocking non-abusive constituents on social media.
'Bullying'
But Dr Davies said: “Twitter is not effective for long debates and discussions and constituents are always encouraged to email for a full response, which they will always receive (apart from very rare cases when they are being offensive).“I will however often respond on Twitter and Facebook in public or private in an effort to be as accessible as possible. You can imagine this is pretty hard work 24/7.”
Wow. I questioned my MP's voting record, as is my right as a constituent, I disagreed with his 'excuse', and this... pic.twitter.com/1hLnBdIP0u
— Kay (@kaysharpstuff) October 28, 2015
He added: “I will not accept bullying and need to concentrate on useful work as an MP, not continual Twitter notifications from those who are being aggressive.”
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Dr Davies said he is not against removing tax on tampons but tried to explain that as a member of the EU, the UK cannot unilaterally zero-rate any item from VAT without each of the 28 other country members of the EU, and the European Commission, giving its approval.
With a 305 to 287 vote against the motion, which was brought by Labour, the tax on tampons is enforced by the EU because they are not considered essential items.
All 11 Welsh MPs who voted against removing the tax were male Conservative MPs, including Guto Bebb who represents Aberconwy and David Jones who represents Clwyd West.
Only three Conservative MPs voted for the motion and all 213 Labour MPs supported the abolition of the tax.
The 5% tax on sanitary products in the UK is lower than in any other EU country.
Following the vote, Treasury Minister David Gauke promised to challenge the European Commission on creating the “flexibility” for member states to zero rate women’s sanitary products.
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