16-07-2025
Starmer takes Labour whip off rebels
After a week of brooding, Keir Starmer has decided to strike. Like Michael Corleone, today he is settling all family business. A series of Labour recalcitrants have been summoned to the Whips' Office this afternoon. So far four MPs – Neil Duncan Jordan, Chris Hinchcliff, Brian Leishman and Rachel Maskell – have lost the whip. All have reputations of being 'troublemakers', having led respective revolts on winter fuel, planning reform, Grangemouth and the welfare changes. Rosena Allin Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammed Yasin have all lost their trade envoy roles too.
What is behind today's bolt from the blue? Among Labour MPs, there is some surprise at the timing of the purge. 'Why now?' was one veteran's snap reaction, pointing to the fact that a six week recess begins on Monday. Clearly, after the debacle of the welfare U-turn, Starmer's aides believes that it is important to 'send a message' in mafioso speak, rather than allow dissenters to stir up trouble throughout the summer. While it is the Whips' Office who are delivering the punishment, most believe the No. 10 political operation are behind it.
It is striking how much Starmer has been seen on the estate in recent days. As I reported last week, there was an amusing incident in the Smoking Room. The PM and his entourage arrived on a charm offensive, only to be greeted by Tory MPs at the bar. Messages had to be sent on group chats, ensuring that a deluge of Labour loyalists came to greet him. Starmer then spent two hours in parliament after PMQs today, meeting members of his party. He will hope that such visibility will enable him to mend the broken bridges between his No. 10 team and the parliamentary party.
For a man who has always disliked the theatricality of politics, Starmer has today offered his colleagues a stark and visible choice. Work with him and feel the love. Or rebel and enjoy a semi-public execution on one of Alan Campbell's black sofas.
