Iain Duncan Smith attacks bishops over benefits reform opposition I would like to see a more balanced response from the bishops. It's all very well for the bishops to express a political opinion, but I would love them to ask about the poor people on low incomes who are working hard, whose families share rooms, who are doing the right thing. With Liberal Democrat peers expected to vote against the plan in the Lords, Mr Duncan Smith acknowledged the result could come down to the independent "crossbenchers," including the bishops. My sense is that unless I can persuade them that they're in the wrong place on this one, which they are, then they might be tempted to vote against it. It's down to the crossbenchers," he said. Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown said he favoured a benefit cap but said the welfare revamp was currently "completely unacceptable." He told Sky News' Murnaghan programme: "I have voted with the Government on everything until now ... (but) I will not support the benefit cap in its present form." Lord Ashdown said Mr Duncan Smith planned transition arrangements as claimants adapted to a new system, adding: "With those transition arrangements, I hope that will change the legislation."