Colne Valley Tory Jason McCartney has stepped forward to rebel against George Osborne’s tax credits plan.
Mr McCartney was one of 17 Conservative MPs who signed a motion outlining their fears that the cuts would hit the working poor.
In a humiliating blow for the government, the vote was unanimously passed 215 - 0 votes, meaning not a single Tory opposed it.
It is estimated more than £4bn will be removed from working people whose incomes are topped up by tax credits.
Critics of the plan say any gains from a living wage will not compensate for the loss of support.
Speaking to the Examiner, Mr McCartney said he had issues with the pace with which the government was proposing to take away people’s money.
“I don’t want to see hard working people on low incomes to lose out,” he said.
“I want them to benefit from the new living wage and be well paid for the work they do.”
In a House of Commons debate on Thursday, he said he supported the Chancellor’s austerity plans, which he said were better described as “living within our means”.
But he said Mr Osborne needed to reconsider the impact on the lowest paid workers.
He said: “We must build a low-tax, low-welfare, high-wage economy.
“As a compassionate Conservative, I want to live in a country where everyone has the opportunity of a decent, well-paid job.
“So let us crack on with it, and let us stand up for working people.”
He added: “I hope the Chancellor and his Treasury boffins will be listening very carefully to the various suggestions (for mitigation).”
Mr McCartney offered the house feedback from his constituents in the style of new Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
He said: “Martin from the Holme Valley says that he agrees with the shift from tax credits to increased pay but shares my concern about the transitional impact of the changes.
“Bob from Salendine Nook says that he understands the point I make about employers underpaying staff and agrees with me on the need to reconsider the pace of change.
“Nicola from Oakes says that she agrees that the tax credits system is imperfect, as is the whole benefits system. She says that she would be better off financially reducing her hours, as she works full time, and that a change to the system needs to be implemented. She says that she feels she is currently being punished by the benefits system for trying to bring home more money by working her way up, and that a single person on income support, disability living allowance, housing benefit and other benefits could, in effect, be paid more in benefits than she brings home, including with her tax credits, to support a family.
“Dorothy from Marsden says that she fully understands the need for reform. As the motion clearly states, this about the pace and the impact on the lowest-paid workers.”
