Leo Docherty's Controversial Stance on Free School Meals

Leo Docherty has been the Conservative MP for Aldershot since 2017. One issue where his voting record has attracted criticism is free school meals. According to the data from They Work For You, Docherty has consistently voted against policies to extend and make free school meals more accessible.

In October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Docherty voted not to extend free school meal provision over the holidays until Easter 2021. This was deeply unpopular, especially after footballer Marcus Rashford had campaigned extensively for the extension to tackle child holiday hunger. Despite immense public pressure, Docherty stood by his vote.

Again in October 2021, Docherty voted against labelling children from households on Universal Credit or other benefits as automatically eligible for free school meals. This made it harder for poorer families to access the free meals.

Most recently in March 2023, Docherty opposed a bill that would have made additional funding available for free school meals over non-term time periods like the summer holidays when many families struggle.

Docherty has never publicly explained the rationale behind his stance opposing policies to expand free school meal provision and eligibility. He has faced fierce backlash from constituents and campaigners who argue that no child should go hungry and that free meals are a vital support for families on low incomes.

The counterargument from the government has been around concerns over the rising costs of extending the free meals program. However, critics content that protecting vulnerable children from hunger should be a key priority for public spending.

As the cost of living crisis continues to deepen in 2023 and 2024, Docherty’s record voting down free school meal expansions looks increasingly out of touch. His constituency has areas of high deprivation that would benefit from ensuring no child goes hungry. Unless he changes his position, this issue will likely remain a sticking point for many Aldershot voters.

Sources:

• Voting record data from They Work For You
• October 2020 vote against extending free school meals over holidays
• October 2021 vote against expanding eligibility for free school meals
• March 2023 vote against additional funding for free school meals
• Marcus Rashford’s campaign for free school meals community support