After months of campaigning, heartfelt advocacy, and the support of 8,909 signatories, ME Foggy Dog and Voices Adfocad have made the difficult decision to close our petition calling for the creation of a dedicated Minister for Disabled People. This campaign was born out of frustration, hope, and a deep belief that disabled people in the UK deserve focused representation at the highest levels of government.
Our petition demanded two key changes:
- The removal of Stephen Timms MP from his dual role as Minister for Social Security and Disability.
- The establishment of a dedicated Minister for Disabled People with cross-government authority and no responsibility for disability employment within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
We believed, and still believe, that disability policy should not be diluted by competing priorities. The current structure, where one minister oversees both social security and disability, creates a conflict of interest. Welfare reform agendas focused on cost-cutting and employment incentives often clash with the nuanced needs of disabled individuals.
Disabled people face barriers that span health, social services, education, transport, and employment. A minister with a singular focus on disability could champion inclusion and accessibility across all departments, as outlined in the government’s own guidance for Lead Ministers for Disability.
We were not alone in our concerns. Organisations like WECIL and countless individuals echoed our call for a role that prioritises disability rights, not just within the DWP but across the entire government.
Despite our efforts, the response from government officials made it clear: this is one immovable object.
Stephen Timms MP responded to our petition with a polite but firm defense of the status quo. He expressed his commitment to disabled people and highlighted the government’s employment support package. Yet, he also stated his belief that the dual role is a “natural fit,” reinforcing the very conflation we sought to dismantle.
An ethics adviser offered a candid reflection: while the idea of a dedicated minister is admirable, government ministers are bound by collective responsibility. The role, as it stands, isn’t meant to act independently or critically of government policy. That space, they suggested, belongs to advisory boards, not ministers.
We’ve come to accept that this campaign, despite its merit and momentum, has reached a point of diminishing returns. The energy and resources we’ve poured into this fight can now be redirected toward other pressing issues affecting disabled people, issues where change feels more achievable.
This isn’t a defeat. It’s a strategic pivot.
🙏 Thank You
To the 8,909 people who signed, shared, and stood with us: thank you. Your voices mattered. Your belief in a better, more inclusive government gave this campaign its heartbeat.
While this chapter closes, our commitment to disability advocacy continues. ME Foggy Dog and Voices Adfocad will keep pushing for change, just on different fronts.
Together, we remain loud, proud, and unshaken.
ME Foggy Dog & Voices Adfocad