“`html
Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer has suspended four Members of Parliament for repeated breaches of party discipline.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, and Rachael Maskell have had the party whip removed, effectively relegating them to independent status within the House of Commons.
In a related move, three other Labour MPs – Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Mohammed Yasin – have been relieved of their duties as trade envoys.
These actions follow the MPs’ decision to vote against the government’s welfare reform bill earlier this month, a move that prompted the disciplinary measures.
In total, 47 Labour MPs defied party lines to oppose the proposed welfare cuts, compelling ministers to soften the legislation.
The rebellion has raised questions about Sir Keir’s leadership, particularly after a series of recent policy U-turns, including the reinstatement of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.
Maskell, the MP representing York Central, played a central role in organizing the dissent against the welfare bill, which she believes led to her suspension.
During a parliamentary debate, Maskell criticized the bill as an “omnishambles,” denouncing the proposed benefits changes as “Dickensian cuts belong[ing] to a different era and a different party.”
Speaking to the BBC, Maskell stated that her election to Parliament was predicated on advocating for her constituents.
“I don’t see myself as a rebel,” Maskell asserted. “But I’m not afraid to speak up about whatever is in my constituents’ interests.”
Addressing the Prime Minister directly, she affirmed her loyalty while signaling a willingness to negotiate, stating, “I’m here to build a bridge with you,” and adding, “I want to support a Labour government, and for it to be successful.”
Duncan-Jordan, Leishman, and Hinchliff were all elected as Labour MPs for the first time in the previous year.
Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, spearheaded a letter cautioning that the government’s welfare changes were “impossible to support” without a “change of direction.”
In a statement, Duncan-Jordan explained: “Since being elected I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits. I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn’t support making disabled people poorer.”
“Although I’ve been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today, I’ve been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.
“To my constituents: it’s business as usual. I remain your hardworking local MP, I will continue to take up your concerns and speak up for Poole.”
Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, has also been a vocal critic of the government’s reforms to the benefits system.
He stated: “I am a proud Labour member, and I remain committed to the party. I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving.
“I have voted against the government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.
“It is the honour of my life to be the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, and my priority remains representing and fighting for constituents, whether they voted for me or not.”
Hinchliff commented: “I remain proud to have been elected as a Labour MP and I hope in time to return to the Labour benches.
“In the meantime I will continue to fight every day for the needs of my constituents and nothing will change in how I engage with and represent those I was elected to serve.”
The four suspended MPs had previously dissented on votes pertaining to various pieces of legislation, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Public Authorities Bill.
However, the welfare reforms have proven to be the most significant point of contention among Labour backbenchers.
Numerous Labour MPs voiced concerns regarding the government’s proposals to reduce disability and sickness-related benefits, aiming to achieve annual savings of £5 billion by 2030.
Over 120 Labour MPs threatened to obstruct the bill, potentially jeopardizing its passage.
Ministers offered significant concessions to appease the dissenting Labour MPs, resulting in a watered-down version of the bill that ultimately passed through the Commons.
Despite these concessions, dozens of Labour MPs remained opposed, marking a substantial revolt for a party that secured a commanding majority in the last general election.
Sir Keir previously sought to enforce party discipline shortly after the election by suspending seven Labour MPs who voted against the government’s proposal to eliminate the two-child benefit cap.
Among those initially suspended was Zarah Sultana, who recently resigned from the Labour Party and announced plans to establish a new party alongside former Labour leader, now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn.
In a post on X, Sultana accused Labour of “punishing MPs who opposed cuts that would push 800,000 disabled people into poverty.”
She added: “Insecure men. No vision. No compassion.”
John McDonnell, who also had the Labour whip removed for voting to lift the two-child benefit cap, praised Duncan-Jordan’s response to his suspension as dignified.
“Speaking up for his constituents and following his conscience are the crimes he committed,” he wrote.
The suspensions of the four MPs come ahead of Parliament’s summer recess.
Richard Holden, the shadow paymaster general for the Conservatives, characterized the suspensions as a “desperate attempt to distract from yet another surge in inflation today and the secret tax plan for this autumn which Starmer accidentally revealed in PMQs.”
Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to stay informed about the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
The law will be tightened so police can stop those without a clear ideology earlier, says the home secretary.
Rachael Maskell, York Central MP, was suspended over her welfare reform bill rebellion.
Prospective Labour candidates express irritation at delays in selection process for Senedd election.
Sir Wayne David quits for health reasons, saying there is “no political reason” for his departure.
Diane Abbott is suspended as a Labour MP after she said she did not regret “at all” a previous suspension.
“`