Demonstrators have shown their feelings to Atherstone's MP after voting against free school meals

Following a vote in parliament at the end of October that went against the motion of extending free school meals to low income families, a group of demonstrators have shown their feelings to Atherstone's MP Craig Tracey this weekend.

The parliamentary vote came after Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford, and many others had been pushing for free school meals for children during half term and beyond.

The labour-led proposal would have given eligible children a £15 a week food voucher even during the holidays, but was defeated by 322 votes to 261 - with a majority of 61.

Only five Conservatives rebelled against the Government to vote for feeding more than 1.4 million children during school breaks.

They did not include the MP for North Warwickshire, Craig Tracey, nor any of the conservative MPs in the county.

On Friday (October 30) Labour Party members, including NEU members, attached empty paper plates to the front wall of Mr Tracey's Atherstone office, with appropriate slogans to express their views about the MP's' failure to back free school holiday meals.

As well as Mr Tracey, National Education Union members organised protests during the last few days outside the offices of the four other MPs, with the protests being supported by members of political parties and other trade unions, as well as individual members of the public.

NEU Assistant Secretary (North Warwickshire), Martin Short, said, "It is a disgrace that our MP is unwilling to provide support for the families of his most vulnerable constituents. The money paid out for half a day of 'eat out to help out' would have paid for a week's lunches for 1.4 million children. Sadly, this is yet another illustration of where this government's priorities lie, with the few, not the many."

Organisers of the demonstration have added "all five of Warwickshire's Tory MPs voted not to fund school lunches during the school half-term and Christmas holidays for those children who normally have free school meals. This is absolutely shameful, particularly when one considers the far greater sums already wasted on failed schemes such as Track and Trace."