MP of the Year award attacked over harmful corporate sponsor. Time for a campaign to remove it?
KPMG: this corporation, part of the Atos group that has done so much harm to sick and disabled people, sponsors the Patchwork Foundation’s MP of the Year awards, Should it?
It seems the only element likely to stop Jeremy Corbyn from winning the Patchwork Foundation’s MP of the Year award is the fact that it is sponsored by corporations that have contributed to the oppression of the poor and vulnerable.
Mr Corbyn is on the shortlist of MPs for whom the public is asked to vote.
But some supporters of the former Labour leader – including his own former Shadow Chancellor – are having nothing to do with it because it is sponsored by firms including KPMG.
The controversy sprang up on This Writer’s Twitter feed overnight, springing from discussion over whether certain vested interests would allow Mr Corbyn to win, after their success in ousting last year’s popular left-wing candidate, Chris Williamson.
Paula Peters, a popular campaigner for people with disabilities and friend of This Site, raised the alarm:
It’s sponsored by @KPMG @MidWalesMike atos by its real name
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
It was confirmed by others:
Hence why I can’t support this
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Atos is the company that – now under an alias – carries out assessments of benefit claimants’ ability to work, when they claim sickness and/or disability benefits. It took over KPMG in 2002, and it seems some have little to say in its favour.
The firm’s record for refusing benefits to people who genuinely deserve them – who have then gone on to suffer extreme hardship and, in many cases, death – is well-documented on This Site and elsewhere.
It reflects extremely poorly on the Patchwork Foundation that it would seek – or allow – sponsorship of any of its work by a firm of such character.
KPMG’s sponsorship of the award is not well-signposted; it appears as one of many on a tickertape at the bottom of the awards’ web page.
Paula’s tweet sparked strong responses:
Course it is when you have sponsors who are conglomerate capitalists
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
You’re missing the point! The sponsor is the problem! KPMG are atos! The sponsors will not allow Jeremy CORBYN to win. Look at the bigger picture!
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
No it isn’t the point. You want to support it go ahead. I won’t. Not when the sponsor is ripping our services to bits. Ask @RMTunion how they feel about @KPMG right now when many jobs and services are at threat at @TfL
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Do you think Jeremy will accept it. Do you think KPMG will let him win. No they won’t.
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
What pisses them off is exposing the sponsor for who they are. If you get the sponsor removed from an event like that it pisses them off. It’s up to you what you do.
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Do what you want. I will not support this. I won’t have anything to do with an award event with sponsors like KPMG and what they are involved in.
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Come hell or high water he will have my vote! and when folk looks back through history there will be but one name of Note! pic.twitter.com/dDeoiRwHad
— Trent (@RandolphTrent) July 30, 2020
I completely understand where you're coming from Paula and I completely agree with you.
I haven't voted myself for the same reasons.
Thank you for making me aware ✊— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
Trent isn’t attacking you Paula, he’s disagreeing. As I am!
— Mani Isna La #NativeLivesMatter 🇵🇸 🇨🇺🕊 (@mikecoulson48) July 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/FryCarlton/status/1288947117931847681
Thank you john for the support and solidarity
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Don't want to barge in and I come in peace 🙏
Could I ask if either of you have had any dealings with ATOS.
Specifically as a sick or disabled person?— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
I wasn't aware either until Paula mentioned it.
We know now though don't we.
Solidarity ✊♥️— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
People have been brutalised by this company.
People have died because of the assessments this company and the Tory bastards in power inflict on people.
Feelings will tend to run high.— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
Do you think Jeremy Corbyn would be pleased to receive an award from these people?
I don't.— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
It would break my heart if he did.
Labour MPs should be showing solidarity with the disabled and long term ill.
They should be boycotting this sham altogether.— Nicky 💙💜 🇵🇸 🇾🇪#BDS #AntiFascist ¡No pasaran! (@nicky_NoPasaran) July 30, 2020
None taken., however, it’s important we continue to pull these conglomerates to bits and expose who they are. KPMG are now overseeing TFL cuts which will have debating consequences for passengers services and jobs. @unitetheunion @RMTunion @TSSAunion @ASLEFunion have my support
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Support Jeremy in lots of ways. Support him against the dreadful attacks from the Labour machine, support his campaigns against the attacks on the NHS and local services we need to continue to resist the tories. Support him to continue to do that.
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
Thankfully not! Why do you ask?
— Mani Isna La #NativeLivesMatter 🇵🇸 🇨🇺🕊 (@mikecoulson48) July 30, 2020
Both myself and my wife are registered disabled! we have 2 disabled grandchildren! We fought a 10 year battle with them! I have the scars!
— Trent (@RandolphTrent) July 30, 2020
Once again! pic.twitter.com/clrNmmN6xE
— Trent (@RandolphTrent) July 30, 2020
Let’s move forwards. We have enough ahead of us to fight with the conservative government right now. We need to find eats to come together unite and fight them
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
For This writer, the most telling comment in the discussion is Paula’s below:
What pisses them off is exposing the sponsor for who they are. If you get the sponsor removed from an event like that it pisses them off. It’s up to you what you do.
— paula peters (@paulapeters2) July 30, 2020
So perhaps that is what should be done.
Obviously I am too busy with annoying distractions like my two court cases to take on another campaign, but would anybody like to launch one calling on the Patchwork Foundation to decline sponsorship from organisations that are known to cause harm to people?
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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