COLCHESTER'S MP Will Quince has explained why he voted against a motion relating to the tampon tax in the House of Commons this week.

The Conservative MP said: "I have always been in favour of a zero rating for sanitary products and my position on this hasn’t changed.

"If I start by explaining the background, the 5 per cent VAT rate charged on sanitary products is the lowest rate available under EU law and to change this, we would need the agreement of all 28 EU Member States.

"As it stands, the EU deems these products non-essential luxury items, bringing them into the five per cent tax bracket.

"I think this is a very poor decision, and yet another example of EU bureaucracy stopping this country from making sensible, common-sense reforms.

"The EU Commission is wrong on this and I fully support the campaign for sanitary products to be zero rated.

"However, this amendment was not deliverable. Parliament cannot make the change on its own.

"We need all EU states to agree to this change.

"Why vote for something that is non-deliverable? I think it diminishes respect for Parliamentary votes.

"In responding to the amendment, the Finance Minister (David Gauke MP) made it clear to the House of Commons that he would be taking this issue to the European Commission and other member states to make the case for zero rating.

"When we have the same goal, why tie the hands of our Ministers and restrict their ability to achieve what we are all aiming for?

"I have also written to the Minister, David Gauke MP, on this issue, thanking him for his stance and asking that he update me in the New Year on progress.

"I hope this explains the way I voted on this issue and that I share the goals of those who have contacted me."