Sir Keir Starmer has reignited tensions with the Labour Left after expelling and demoting seven MPs who defied the party line to oppose welfare legislation.
In a sharp display of authority, the Prime Minister withdrew the party whip from four MPs on Wednesday evening—Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, and Brian Leishman citing repeated breaches of party discipline. All four will now sit as independents. Three others, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Mohammad Yasin, were removed from their roles as trade envoys, a government-appointed privilege.
The disciplinary move follows Labour’s largest rebellion under Starmer’s leadership, where 127 MPs voted against the government’s welfare plans. The rebellion forced a dramatic U-turn, with the government dropping planned cuts to disability benefits, abandoning the expected £4.6 billion in savings.
Starmer’s firm response is widely interpreted as an attempt to reassert control following the policy retreat. But the decision has sparked outrage from trade unions and Labour’s left-wing faction, who argue the leadership has ignored legitimate concerns about the welfare policy’s impact on vulnerable people.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell, a vocal critic of the proposed reforms, expressed sadness over her suspension but stood by her vote. “As a Labour Party member for over 34 years, I could not be more committed to the party, one that upholds the values of equality and justice,” she said.
Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, said he was devastated but defended his decision to represent constituents’ interests despite voting against the leadership on multiple occasions. Chris Hinchliff, MP for North East Hertfordshire and a known environmental advocate, is now rumoured to be considering a defection to the Green Party.
Trade unions and left-wing figures quickly rallied behind the ousted MPs. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright condemned the action as outrageous and authoritarian, saying the leadership had ignored the public backlash against the proposed cuts.
Former shadow cabinet minister Jon Trickett also weighed in, describing the suspensions as a mistake. “It’s not a sin to stand up for the poor and disabled,” he said. “Instead of learning from their error, the Government has mistakenly suspended four decent MPs.”
Privately, some Labour MPs were even more critical. One MP mocked the leadership’s approach, saying, “I demand that morale improves within the PLP and I will continue to shoot people until that happens,” highlighting concerns that the crackdown may worsen internal tensions.
The disciplinary action comes amid reports that Downing Street is planning a broader reset following the collapse of the welfare policy. The reversal has left Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a £4.6 billion hole in the upcoming autumn budget, likely increasing pressure for tax rises.
In response, Number 10 is now reviewing its political strategy, with a possible cabinet reshuffle on the horizon as Labour seeks to regain control of its messaging and policy delivery.
