THE political storm that erupted when a Labour motion to extend free school meals was voted down isn't going away just yet.

Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford has been one of many across the country pushing for free school meals for children during half term and beyond and the footballer had called for MPs to "unite" and ignore "political affiliation".

On Wednesday evening, MPs rejected (by 322 votes to 261) the Labour motion to offer children free school meals during holidays until next Easter. The government says they are helping low-income families through the welfare system.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan was among five of Cheshire's six Conservative MPs who voted against the motion.

Here's the South Cheshire MP in his own words as to why he voted the way he did:

"I have spent my whole life working and volunteering to help people in need and less well off than me.

"This week I voted to say it isn't a good approach to make it the job of schools to feed children all year round, every day, day in, day out. If we are saying that is the only route for children in less well off households to get a meal then surely we need to have schools feeding them on a Saturday and Sunday as well during term time?

"If people are struggling with poverty we need to do things to tackle that directly through the welfare system. That is exactly what this government has done already. This free school meals policy would've been £15 a week. We have already given people on universal credit an extra £20 a week. So actually people are just asking for more money to go into welfare when we have just increased that months ago by a £1000 a year.

"And in addition the government has given local authorities £63 million to provide welfare assistance directly to those in the most need and £500 million to cut council tax bills for those on lower incomes.

"Whatever we do, however much is spent, for Labour it will never be enough and they will say we are cruel and nasty. I will point out that whenever you hear Marcus Rashford speak about poverty, remember he experienced this growing up under a Labour Government.

"Where were the Labour MPs calling it shameful then? Does that mean none of them cared about child poverty? Why was it Labour didn't extend free school meals to the holidays during the 2008 financial crash when people were struggling then if it is so important and vital?

"Free school meals are a specific thing we do - giving children a nutritious meal in school to support their learning when at school. We should not ask schools to organise giving out money every day and become part of the welfare state.

"And yes, whilst it isn't the fault of children and we should support them regardless, as we do, don't let people shout you down if you think it is important to also talk about parental responsibility particularly for absent parents, stable families, work over welfare, asking people to consider their finances when deciding their family size and other factors that play a role.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you are not allowed to say we expect parents to be primarily responsible for their children where they can."

What do you think about Crewe and Nantwich's MP voting the way he did?

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