Latest news with #Neil Duncan-Jordan
Yahoo
4 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'.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Labour Suspends UK MPs Following Welfare Revolt Earlier in July
Labour suspended a number of its members of Parliament for breaking party discipline following a large-scale rebellion over welfare cuts earlier this month. The Times of London and the Guardian on Wednesday said Labour had suspended at least three MPs, while the Financial Times said several were expected to be suspended. Neil Duncan-Jordan and Brian Leishman both confirmed their suspensions. The I named Chris Hinchliff as a third MP suspended, while the Independent said Rachel Maskell, one of the leaders of the welfare revolt, had also been called in to talk to the party's chief whip.
The Independent
4 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.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Keir Starmer suspends three rebel MPs
Sir Keir Starmer is reported to have suspended a number of rebellious MPs. The Labour leader has suspended Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan- Jordan and Chris Hinchcliff, according to the Times. 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. The office of Mr Leishman – who represents Alloa and Grangemouth – confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. In a statement, he said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' he added. '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.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Keir Starmer suspends three rebel MPs
Sir Keir Starmer is reported to have suspended a number of rebellious MPs. The Labour leader has suspended Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Chris Hinchcliff, according to the Times. 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. The office of Mr Leishman – who represents Alloa and Grangemouth – confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. In a statement, he said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' he added. '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.'
