Almost 50 Labour MPs voted against the government in the biggest revolt of Keir Starmer’s premiership so far. See how your MP voted using our gadget below
Keir Starmer was forced to abandon a key plank of his welfare reform tonight in an attempt to avoid a Commons defeat.
In a climbdown just minutes before MPs voted on Tuesday evening plans were shelved to restrict eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with any changes now only coming after a review.
The legislation cleared its first hurdle by 335 votes to 260 – majority 75 – but 49 Labour MPs rebelled. It represents the biggest revolt yet of Mr Starmer’s premiership and comes just days before the anniversary of his first year in power.
Under a U-turn announced 90 minutes before voting began, it was announced changes to restrict PIP would be delayed until after a review by DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms.
Tuesday’s changes leaves the government’s welfare reforms in tatters with any future savings uncertain as the scale of the squeeze on PIP is now unclear. The latest concession follows a partial U-turn last week in the face of a possible defeat.
MPs hit out at the “shambolic” nature of the government concessions while the left-wing Labour MP Ian Lavery responded: “This is crazy, man.” The Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy added in the chamber: “I popped out for a banana earlier on, and when I came back in things had changed again, so I’m more unclear on what I’m voting on”
Use our widget below to find out how your MP voted on the first parliamentary stage of the bill
It followed frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations as a series of Labour MPs and rebels spoke out about the welfare cuts during a debate in the Commons. Labour rebel Rachael Maskell described the cuts as “Dickensian”, adding they “belong to a different era and a different party”.
Ms Maskell, who proposed an amendment to block the measures in the bill, added: “They are far from what this Labour Party is for: a party to protect the poor, as is my purpose, for I am my brother’s keeper.
“These are my constituents, my neighbours, my community, my responsibility, and I cannot cross by on the other side.”
In a powerful moment during the Commons debate, the disabled MP Dr Marie Tidball was close to tears as she described the impact of austerity on disabled people. She said she “vowed then that I would do all I could to create a country which treats disabled people with dignity and respect”.
On the welfare bill, she went on: “With a heavy, broken heart, I will be voting against the bill today. As a matter of conscience I need my constituents to know I cannot support the changes as currently drafted on the front of the bill.”
Responding to the U-turn, Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap said: “The last-minute change relating to the review Sir Stephen Timms is leading sounds positive and we are pleased that the Government has listened.
“It is very important that this review is thorough and includes people with a learning disability. Fair and sustainable change to the welfare system will only happen if the people who rely on it are listened to.
“Disabled people should not have to pay to fix black holes in the public finances.”
Jen Clark from Amnesty International UK added: “While we are cautiously relieved that the cruellest aspect of the bill has been put on pause for now, this review – while important – cannot be used as a smokescreen to avoid the accountability or scrutiny that a statutory consultation provides.
“It was overwhelmingly clear that the British public did not support the proposed changes to PIP.”
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