Hitchin MP Bim Afolami voted down free meals for children - and residents in the town aren't happy about it.

The scheme would have seen more than 2,300 kids in Hitchin and north Herts handed £15 food vouchers every week including Christmas.

However, the Labour-led proposal, that could have meant youngsters would have also had free school meals up to next Easter was voted down 322 votes to 261.

Five Tory MPs rebelled against their party by voting with Labour - including Eastbourne parliamentarian Caroline Ansell, who quit her government job after voting for the Labour motion.

Hitchin's Eton-educated MP voted against the motion, defending his position by saying: "The Government has put an additional £9 billion into the welfare system to combat poverty, including £63 million to help councils support families in need.

"This targeted support has provided 1.4 million children from low income families with free school meals.

"Opposition day motions cannot change policy. This vote was never designed to achieve anything constructive for the poorest in this country.

"As with many of these high-profile political stunts, scratch beneath the headline and you'll find evidence that the government is doing its best to support vulnerable people at this difficult time.

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"The moral criticism that 'Tories don't care' is not at all reflected in my own tenets, nor my colleagues, nor the demonstratable track record of this government."

However, his defence did not impress a number of voters who responded on social media to Mr Afolami's stance.

Hitchin author Matt Adcock, who wrote a novel about a dystopian future posted on Twitter: "Wow @BimAfolami - your voting choices cement why I'll never vote for you."

While Hitchin mum Nadine Spanyol wrote: "If meals are required in term time surely they are also required in holidays, especially during a pandemic where child poverty levels have increased.

"How is extending this provision not constructive?"