Key figures in Labour’s left-wing face six-month suspension after defying party line on benefit reform

 In a dramatic move that has intensified tensions within the Labour Party, seven MPs have been suspended for six months after voting against the government’s stance on the two-child benefit cap. The cap, which restricts Universal Credit and child tax credit to families with a maximum of two children, has been a contentious issue, drawing sharp divisions within the party.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell was among those who opposed the government’s position by supporting an SNP motion aimed at abolishing the cap. Joining him in the rebellion were Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Imran Hussain, Apsana Begum, and Zarah Sultana. The motion was ultimately defeated by a substantial margin—363 votes to 103—marking the first major test of Keir Starmer’s leadership.

The suspension of these MPs means they will now sit as independents, removed from the Labour parliamentary party. This move is seen as a decisive action by Starmer’s government to assert control and signal that dissent will not be tolerated. Nearly all the suspended MPs are allies of Jeremy Corbyn, Labour’s former leader, who also endorsed the SNP motion.

Rebecca Long-Bailey defended her vote, emphasizing that ending the cap would lift 33,000 children out of poverty. Similarly, Richard Burgon expressed disappointment over his suspension, citing numerous constituents who had voiced concerns about the cap. Imran Hussain and Apsana Begum echoed these sentiments, arguing that the cap exacerbates child poverty and food insecurity. Ian Byrne highlighted the necessity of removing the cap to address poverty in his constituency.

John McDonnell, who aligned his vote with Keir Starmer’s previous stance to prioritize national interest over party lines, underscored his reluctance to vote against his own party but felt compelled by the broader implications of the policy.

The suspension signals Starmer’s effort to consolidate power and prevent further internal dissent, a critical move given the Labour government’s current fragile position. Despite this, many Labour MPs continue to oppose the cap, with hopes that the party will eventually reconsider its stance.

The debate over the two-child benefit cap also underscores broader discussions about Labour’s policy direction and its ability to balance party unity with addressing pressing social issues. The cap’s removal is anticipated to cost approximately £3.4 billion annually, a substantial expenditure amidst ongoing financial constraints.

The Guardian

Labour leader Keir Starmer has suspended seven MPs from the party for six months following their vote to support an amendment aimed at scrapping the two-child benefit cap. This suspension includes former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and other left-leaning MPs, such as Apsana Begum and Rebecca Long-Bailey. The amendment, which was defeated by a substantial margin of 363 to 103 votes, sought to end a policy criticized by child poverty advocates.

The decision has caused significant backlash within the party. Some MPs felt the suspension was a harsh response to what they viewed as a principled stand on child poverty. Notably, Nadia Whittome criticized the move, arguing it undermines healthy internal debate and may lead to poor decision-making.

In response to the rebellion, Starmer indicated a potential reconsideration of the cap, suggesting that removing it could be part of a broader review into child poverty. The SNP amendment, backed by various MPs including Jeremy Corbyn, highlighted the ongoing debate about the policy’s impact. Critics, including Green MP Siân Berry and Conservative Suella Braverman, argue that the cap exacerbates child poverty and should be abolished.

The internal party conflict reflects a broader tension between Labour’s leadership and its left-wing members, who argue that the current policy does not align with the party’s values on social justice and poverty alleviation. Despite the defeat of the amendment, calls for revisiting the cap remain strong, particularly from MPs who emphasize the urgent need to address rising child poverty levels.

The Independent

Keir Starmer has suspended seven Labour MPs, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, for voting against the government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap. This decision, coming early in Starmer’s premiership, is a demonstration of his leadership strength after the amendment was defeated by a significant margin of 363 to 103 votes.

The two-child benefit cap, introduced in 2017, restricts welfare payments to the first two children in a family, impacting 1.6 million children. Critics, including charities and some Labour MPs, argue that the policy exacerbates child poverty. The SNP and other parties have called for its removal, describing it as a “cruel” measure.

Despite pressure from within the party and from external groups, including former home secretary Suella Braverman, Labour MPs were instructed to vote against the amendment. Starmer’s administration has faced criticism for not committing to abolishing the cap, with new Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stating that the government needs to assess the financial implications before making any changes.

The suspension of the seven MPs, which includes Rebecca Long-Bailey and Zarah Sultana, has sparked internal conflict. Some MPs view the move as an excessive response that could stifle internal debate and harm party unity. Diane Abbott expressed horror at the suspensions, emphasizing that the policy’s removal should align with Labour’s values on child poverty.

In response to the rebellion, Starmer has indicated a potential review of the cap as part of broader measures to address child poverty, though he has also warned that no single policy can resolve the issue entirely.

Sky News

Labour has suspended seven MPs for voting against the government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap. The suspended MPs are:

1. John McDonnell: Former shadow chancellor and a prominent left-wing figure, McDonnell has been an MP since 1997 and was a key ally of Jeremy Corbyn.
2. Rebecca Long-Bailey: Ex-shadow business secretary and former leadership candidate, Long-Bailey was a leading figure in the Corbyn wing but was sacked from the shadow frontbench in 2020.
3. Zarah Sultana: First elected in 2019, Sultana is known for her strong leftist views and vocal advocacy against policies she sees as harmful to vulnerable communities.
4. Richard Burgon: MP for Leeds East and a former shadow minister, Burgon ran for deputy leader in 2020 and has been a consistent critic of the party’s right-wing policies.
5. Apsana Begum: Elected in 2019, Begum has been vocal about issues including Islamophobia and child poverty, and faced scrutiny over her housing application in 2021.
6. Imran Hussain: MP for Bradford East, Hussain resigned from a shadow ministerial role in protest over the party’s stance on Gaza. He has been a supporter of both Corbyn and Long-Bailey.
7. Ian Byrne: Also elected in 2019, Byrne is known for his support of Corbyn and the Socialist Campaign Group (SCG). He faced controversy over past social media comments but has been a staunch advocate for policies addressing poverty.

These MPs have been suspended from the parliamentary party for six months, with their status to be reviewed later.