PARTY leaders are ‘dismayed’ after every single Tory councillor walked out during a cost of living discussion.

At a meeting of Westmorland and Furness Shadow Authority at County Hall in Kendal, Conservative councillors refused to take part in a vote on a Liberal Democrat motion on tackling the cost of living.

The motion called on central Government to:

- Take immediate action to freeze the price cap at April’s rate, stop further increases in the price of fuel, including solid fuel, LPG and fuel oil as well as electricity and gas prices, and to tax energy firm’s profits.

- Immediately reduce VAT, including VAT on energy bills.

- Bring back the supplement to Universal Credit.

- Implement for immediate financial help/relief for small businesses to prevent imminent closures and job losses.

The motion was passed with every single party voting in favour apart from the Conservatives who walked out of the meeting during the cost of living discussion.

Labour group leader Ann Thomson said: “The motion was tabled to call on the Government to support our residents, businesses and services that are bearing the brunt of the most severe cost of living crisis in living memory.

"So it was a bit disappointing to see the entire Conservative contingent pick up their bags and walk out of the chamber.

"The resolution was passed unanimously on a named vote in the Conservatives' absence and their collective departure will be on the agenda at the next full council meeting.

"Their decision to boycott this important debate will be seen by some as a way of treating their residents with contempt. The Government is wreaking economic havoc on our nation and parliament should be recalled to urgently address this emergency.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Kirkby Stephen and Tebay John Murray, who put forward the motion on the cost of living said: “For so many of our residents, the rising cost of living is a massive issue that affects their lives on a daily basis.

“Many people are understandably concerned about being able to heat their homes and provide enough food to feed their family this winter.

“I’m glad that our motion passed but I’m stunned to see Conservative councillors choose to walk out on mass rather than discuss how we can help our residents."

South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: “Our country is facing the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation – politicians of all stripes need to work together.

“For Conservative councillors to abandon the meeting is an appalling dereliction of duty and sadly shows how out of touch their party is with the needs of people in Westmorland, Furness and Eden.”

A spokesman for the Westmorland & Furness Council's Conservative Group said the meeting had exceeded its time limit and the chair had invited members of the group to leave the meeting which they did due to having other commitments.