In a move that has sparked controversy, Sir Keir Starmer has suspended seven Labour MPs for voting to abolish the two-child benefit cap, a decision that critics have labeled as “authoritarian control freakery.”
Among those suspended is John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, who joined his colleagues in supporting an SNP-led amendment to scrap the contentious policy.
The Prime Minister’s decision has ignited a firestorm within the Labour Party. A member of the party’s governing national executive committee voiced concern, stating that this action “does not benefit him, the party, or anyone in the long run.”
This sentiment echoes the growing discontent among party members who see the suspension as a divisive and heavy-handed response.
A spokesperson from Downing Street justified the suspensions, explaining that the MPs were penalized for rebelling against the King’s Speech, which outlines the party’s program for government.
The spokesperson emphasized the gravity of the rebellion, calling it a “serious matter,” but reassured that this does not set a precedent for all future rebellions.
Decisions regarding the rebels’ return to the party, the spokesperson noted, will be left to the chief whip.
Prime Minister Starmer was reportedly consulted on the decision to expel the rebels and gave his endorsement.
Left-wing Labour MP Mish Rahman criticized the move, stating, “Keir Starmer thinks this is showing he is a strong leader, but really it is complete control-freakery and authoritarianism.”
Rahman argued that this approach fosters mistrust in politicians, as it highlights the discrepancy between their words and actions.
The timing of the rebellion is significant, coinciding with revelations from the i newspaper that Sir Keir’s new adviser on children and young people, Rachel Statham, has a history of opposing the two-child benefit cap.
Statham, previously the associate director at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) for Work and Welfare State, has criticized the policy as “punitive” and called for its abolition during the Conservative government’s tenure.
Calls To Lift Two-Child Benefit Cap
The two-child benefit cap, introduced by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, restricts parents from claiming benefits for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017.
Despite having previously called for the cap to be scrapped, Sir Keir has recently stated that Labour cannot fund the policy change and will not commit to its removal until they can ensure its financial viability.
This stance has faced mounting pressure from backbench Labour MPs and campaigners who argue that lifting the cap could alleviate poverty for hundreds of thousands of children.
The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that scrapping the cap would lift 300,000 children out of poverty and 700,000 more out of deep poverty.
The rebellion marks the first significant internal challenge Sir Keir has encountered since becoming Prime Minister.
The seven MPs who defied the party line include prominent figures such as John McDonnell, former leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey, Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, and Zarah Sultana.
Zarah Sultana, one of the suspended MPs, expressed her disappointment but stood by her decision.
“It is really important to use every opportunity in parliament to make the case that the two-child cap has to be scrapped,” she said.
Sultana also highlighted the widespread opposition to the cap within the Labour Party, asserting that her vote reflected a shared belief in the need for change.
As the Labour Party grapples with this internal strife, the suspensions have underscored the tensions between maintaining party discipline and addressing contentious social policies.
The outcome of this dispute will likely shape the party’s approach to governance and its commitment to tackling poverty in the UK.
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