Marcus Rashford’s petition to force Boris Johnson into second u-turn over free school meals gains Labour backing and amasses 300,000 signatures with moves for House of Commons vote on Wednesday
- Marcus Rashford’s strategy to force Boris Johnson into a u-turn gained traction
- A Rashford petition amassed 300,000 votes to try and feed kids during holidays
- There have been moves for a House of Commons vote on Wednesday
- Shadow children’s minister Tulip Siddiq wrote to every Tory MP showing support
Marcus Rashford’s strategy to force Boris Johnson into a second U-turn over free school meals for Britain’s poorest children was gaining traction Monday night, with moves for a House of Commons vote on Wednesday.
After a Rashford petition amassed 300,000 votes to force a parliament debate, Labour threw their weight behind the 22-year-old, declaring they would trigger a vote on Wednesday unless ministers changed tack and supported him.
Shadow children’s minister Tulip Siddiq wrote to every Tory MP Monday night asking them to support the plan to provide additional support to over 1.4 million children in every school holiday until Easter.
Marcus Rashford’s petition for free school meals during holidays has gained 300,000 votes
The support is trying to force Boris Johnson into a second u-turn after he rejected the plea
In her letter, Ms Siddiq wrote: ‘Labour have said that if the Government does not urgently U-turn, we will force a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday. This will mean that you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue.’
Sportsmail understands that Rashford has already received indications that he will win cross-bench support in the Commons, should his campaign go to a vote.
The Manchester United forward has remained very vocal on the issue ever since he first began campaigning to extend the free school meals scheme.
Within a few hours of Rashford launching the petition to overturn the Prime Minister’s stance, a No 10 spokesman said it was ‘not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays’.
Rashford has received indications that he will win cross-bench support in the Commons
But the striker, 22, responded immediately via Twitter: ‘Merry Christmas kids… this is not going away anytime soon and neither am I.’
Rashford has been awarded an MBE for his services to children in poverty and Tory MPs were said to be confused by Boris Johnson’s quick refusal to Rashford’s proposal of offering free school meals through the upcoming school half-term and Christmas holidays.
Sportsmail understands that Rashford views the petition as a platform to demonstrate public backing to end child food poverty. Among those backing it were former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah.
Brown said: ‘Marcus Rashford deserves all our support. We hope we can see an immediate response from the Government before the autumn break to support low income families as we approach one of the toughest winters on record.’