Latest news with #Labour rebellion
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Ed Miliband's deputy sent secret WhatsApp messages to Labour rebels working to torpedo PM's welfare reforms
ED Miliband's protege sent secret WhatsApp messages to Labour rebels working to torpedo Keir Starmer's welfare reforms, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. Net Zero minister Miatta Fahnbulleh was active on key WhatsApp chats used to organise the revolt - posting several messages. She was even considering resigning to inflict maximum damage on the PM, senior Labour insiders believe. Ms Fahnbulleh is a former aide to Mr Miliband and he is believed to be working to help her to be party leader one day. After being elected MP last year, she was immediately handed a plum ministerial job in his energy department. The bombshell revelations will inevitably spark questions about Red Ed's loyalty to the PM. A Labour insider said: 'It's astonishing that after just a year, this minister is more interested in her own ambitions than delivering for the people who have elected her and the Labour government.' Sir Keir was forced to tear up his plan to trim £5 billion from Britain's bloated benefits bill after an astonishing Labour backbench rebellion late last month. Over 120 Labour MPs signed a rebel amendment scuppering the plan - forcing the PM into a humiliating U-turn. It was an extraordinary challenge to Sir Keir's leadership just a year after he swooped to power in a landslide victory. And now The Sun on Sunday can reveal that a Labour minister - Ms Fahnbulleh - was in the thick of the rebel plot. She was on two separate WhatsApp chats with other Labour MPs used to organise the revolt. Changes to UC & PIP payments in full as Labour reveals bruising welfare bill concessions in bid to quell rebellion One was called Sunday Lunch Organising and the other was called Buffet Organising - covert names which gave no indication of what was actually being discussed. The minister sent several texts on the groups, including one which described the government's welfare plan as a 'mess'. She also allegedly cast doubt over the explanation given by ministers regarding the reforms. Ms Fahnbulleh was also allegedly spotted having 'victory drinks' in Parliament's famous Terrace bar - overlooking the River Thames - with a gang of Labour welfare rebels on the day the PM was forced to U-turn. Last night, Ms Fahnbulleh's office said: 'What is implied here is simply untrue. Miatta publicly backed the government and voted for the Universal Credit Bill at every stage.' They declined to comment further on the Whatsapps. Ms Fahnbulleh was elected MP for Peckham, in south London - succeeding former Labour Party deputy Harriet Harman. A high flier, she has previously worked for Mr Miliband when he was Labour leader and ran the New Economics Foundation - a leftwing think-tank. Last year, Labour bible The New Statesman put her on their 'Left Power List' as one of the 50 most influential people in leftwing politics in Britain. A Labour insider said: 'She is close to Ed Miliband and it's a pretty open secret that she is his pick to be leader one day.' A spokesman for Mr Miliband said: 'These are spurious and nonsense allegations. Ed supported the welfare bill at all stages.' Who are Labour's 'five families' who could cause trouble for PM Sir Keir Starmer Labour's 'five families' of rival factions have the potential to cause trouble for Sir Keir Starmer. Here are the Mafia-style clans vying for power and influence in Britain's governing party. In a nod to The Godfather film, we have given each family a horses head rating to show how dangerous they are to the PM. THE HARD-LEFT: A hardcore of around 25 former die-hard Corbynistas who are in the Socialist Campaign group. They loathe the PM and want higher taxes and spending. Led by John McDonnell inside Labour. Includes Jeremy Corbyn's new party outside. They can inflict pain on No10, but are limited in number. Head rating: 2/5 THE SOFT LEFT: A large chunk of Labour MPs are in this faction, which led the welfare rebellion. Includes Ed Miliband, Louise Haigh and suspended welfare rebel Rachael Maskell. Group most likely to swing behind Angela Rayner for leader, has strong ties with trade unions and associated with 'King of the North' Andy Burnham. Horses head rating: 4/5 AMBITIOUS NEWBIES: Starmerites who swept to power in the 2024 landslide election and are being fasttracked to Cabinet. Include new Labour royalty Hamish Falconer and Georgia Gould. They are loyal - but ambitious. Horses head rating: 1/5 THE BLAIRITES: Devotees of Tony Blair and his brand of New Labour politics, they are pro business and back market reforms in the public sector. Includes Wes Streeting and Pat McFadden - both big players in Keir's government. Horses head rating: 1/5 REDWALLERS / BLUE LABOUR: Straight-talking faction representing Labour's old industrial heartlands of the North and Midlands. Want tougher immigration policies, a crime crackdown and investment in blue collar jobs. Include Jo White, Jonathan Hinder and Gareth Snell. Impatient for change and not afraid to rebel. Horses head rating: 3/5
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer suspends rebellious MPs
Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a purge of troublesome backbenchers as he suspended a number of MPs. Rachael Maskell, who spearheaded plans to halt the Government's welfare reforms, has lost the whip, alongside Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. All voted against the Government's benefits reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all aside from Ms Maskell were first elected at last year's election. The York Central MP said she had been suspended for 'standing up for my constituents' over the benefits plans. Ms Maskell said she had a 'positive conversation' with the chief whip, adding: 'He knows my heart and why I did what I did. 'I explained there are lines I can't cross because of where I come from in politics with my faith.' She said she was 'not angry' but 'upset that we are in this place because I believe we are better than that as a party. I believe that strength comes from the backbenches.' Mr Duncan-Jordan has said he remains 'as committed as ever' to Labour values, but accepted that voting against the welfare plans 'could come at a cost'. In a statement, the MP for Poole said: '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.' Mr Leishman said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' Mr Leishman said in a statement. '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.' A Labour backbencher described the suspensions as 'devastating' and said they did not signal a willingness from the Government to reset relations with the parliamentary party. As well as the suspensions, three other MPs have been removed from trade envoy jobs: Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammad Yasin. It is understood that those who have been suspended have had the whip removed due to repeated infringements when it comes to party discipline. Mr Duncan-Jordan raised concerns about the Government's changes to the winter fuel allowance before the U-turn while Mr Leishman has been a critic of the Government's response to the Grangemouth closure. Mr Hinchliff led a rebellion against ministers' planning Bill over environmental concerns. Shadow minister Richard Holden claimed that the suspensions are 'a desperate attempt to distract from yet another surge in inflation today'.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer suspends rebellious MPs
Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a purge of troublesome backbenchers as he suspended a number of MPs. Neil Duncan- Jordan and Brian Leishman have confirmed their suspensions from the parliamentary party, while The Times has reported that Chris Hinchliff has also lost the whip. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year's election. Mr Duncan-Jordan has said he remains 'as committed as ever' to Labour values, but accepted that voting against the welfare plans 'could come at a cost'. In a statement, the MP for Poole said: '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.' Meanwhile, while Mr Leishman said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party' The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' Mr Leishman said in a statement. '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.'
