Disabled comedian and political activist Francesca Martinez just produced one of the most memorable and poignant political moments in recent history on tonight’s episode of BBC Question Time.
Martinez, who has cerebral palsy, absolutely annihilated the Tory government with an awe-inspiring and deeply personal diatribe, slamming their choice to implement 10 years of swingeing cuts to public services – austerity measures which have been linked to the needless deaths of around 130,000 people, including numerous disabled people:
“Austerity has caused the deaths of over 130,000 human beings in Britain. That is absolute outrageous. That is 130,000 mums, dads, daughters, sons, uncles, aunts, who have died because the Tories and the Lib Dems decided to make ordinary people pay for a crash caused by bankers who we bailed out.”
“My final point, as a wobbly [disabled] woman, I really have to highlight the tens of thousands of disabled people and sick people who have died after being found fit for work.”
“We are one of the richest countries in the world, and this is absolutely outrageous. Even the UN has called Tory welfare reform a violation of disabled people’s rights.”
“So I want to remind everyone here that anyone can become disabled or sick at any time, and right now this government is taking away the safety net that we have fought for collectively over decades to help those in need.
“And I think whatever your politics, you can agree that punishing disabled people and sick people for falling on hard times is absolutely morally wrong, and they have blood on their hands.”
You can watch Martinez’s astonishingly passionate statement below:
The greatest moment of #BBCQT for a long, long time. Thank you @chessmartinez pic.twitter.com/1ODf6zVApE
— Rachael Swindon (@Rachael_Swindon) June 13, 2019