A SUSSEX Conservative MP has quit a government role after her colleagues voted down a proposal to extend a free school meals scheme championed by Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell was one of five Tory politicians to rebel against the party and support the motion, which was defeated by 261 votes to 322 yesteday.

Of the votes against, 318 were cast by Conservative MPs.

The Argus: England striker Marcus Rashford is set to start against the Socceroos

The scheme would have provided more than one million vulnerable children with free school meals during the holidays until Easter next year.

Mrs Ansell said she believed this "could be used to reach families in Eastbourne and across the country" in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

"I could not, in all conscience, ignore that belief," she stated.

As a result, following the proposals heavy defeat in the house of commons, she announced her resignation from the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

In a statement released this morning, Mrs Ansell wrote: "In these unprecedented times, I am very concerned to be doing all we can to help lower-income families and their children who are really struggling due to the impact of the virus."

"Therefore, last night, I voted for Labour’s motion on extending free school meal vouchers until after Easter 2021 for those families in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit."

The Argus: Caroline Ansell.

"I do not consider this extension could be in any way a long-term solution to this need, which is complex.

"There are better ways to help children, including linking meals to activities so they can also benefit from extra-curricular learning and experience.

"However, as we are still very much living in the shadow of the pandemic, vouchers are a lever - not perfect, not sustainable - but one which I thought could be used to reach families in Eastbourne and across the country in the immediate time ahead.

"I could not, in all conscience, ignore that belief.

"Due to my decision not to support the government in this debate, I have resigned as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs."

The four further Conservative MPs to support the proposal were Jason McCartney (Colne Valley), Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) and Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe).