PM criticised over 'appalling' decision to suspend four Labour MPs
The suspensions will be seen as an attempt to restore discipline following a number of rebellions that has forced the government into U-turns.
Thursday 17 July 2025 09:09, UK
Backbenchers have criticised Sir Keir Starmer's "appalling" decision to suspend four Labour MPs.
Critics warned the prime minister's move was a "terrible look" that made "a Reform government much more likely".
It comes after Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell lost the whip, meaning they are no longer part of Labour's parliamentary party and will sit as independent MPs.
They had voted against the government's welfare reforms earlier this month.
Politics latest: Suspended MPs defend their voting record
Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, wrote on X: "These decisions don't show strength. They are damaging Labour's support and risk rolling out the red carpet for Reform."
Richard Burgon, the Labour MP for Leeds East, said a key role of backbenchers is to challenge policies that "make a Reform government much more likely" and the prime minister should be "listening to those voices, not punishing them".
Ian Lavery, Labour MP for Blyth and Ashington, warned the suspensions were "a terrible look".
"Dissatisfaction with the direction the leadership is taking us isn't confined to the fringes," he wrote.
His backbench colleague Jon Trickett said "it's not a sin to stand up for the poor and disabled", adding: "Solidarity with the suspended four."
It is understood the welfare vote was not the only reason behind the decision to punish the MPs, with sources citing "repeated breaches of party discipline".
Three other MPs who also voted against the government have had their trade envoy roles removed. They are Rosena Allin Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammed Yasin.
More than 100 MPs had initially rebelled against the plan to cut personal independent payments (PIP). Ultimately, 47 voted against the bill's third reading, after it was watered down significantly in the face of defeat.
Read more: Who are the suspended Labour MPs?
Maskell: 'Speaking truth to power'
Ms Maskell was one of the lead rebels in the welfare revolt, and has more recently called for a wealth tax to fund the U-turn.
The York Central MP has spoken out against the government on a number of other occasions since the election, including on winter fuel and cuts to overseas aid.
Confirming the suspension, Ms Maskell told Paste BN that she "doesn't see herself as a rebel" but "somebody that is prepared to fulfil (her) role here of holding the executive to account and speaking truth to power".
She stopped short of criticising the decision, saying: "I hold my hand out to the prime minister and hope he takes that and wants to reach back because I think it's really important that we work together."
Ms Maskell was first elected in 2015, while the other suspended MPs were newly elected last year.
Mr Hinchliff, the MP for North East Hertfordshire, has proposed a series of amendments to the flagship planning and infrastructure bill criticising the government's approach.
Mr Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, led a rebellion against the cut to the winter fuel payments while Alloa and Grangemouth MP Mr Leishman has been critical of the government's position on Gaza.
Suspended Labour MPs clearly hit a nerve with Starmer
After a tricky few weeks for the government, in which backbenchers overturned plans to cut back welfare spending, now a heavy hand to get the party into line.
All four suspended MPs appear to be surprised - and upset.
Three more have lost plum roles as trade envoys - all on the left of the party.
All were active in the rebellion against the government's welfare reforms, and voted against the changes even after a series of U-turns - but were among 47 Labour MPs who did so.
When MPs were told after the welfare vote that Number 10 was "fully committed to engaging with parliamentarians", this was not what they were expecting.
We're told the reasons for these particular suspensions go wider - over "persistent breaches of party discipline" - although most are not high profile.
In the scheme of things, Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell rebelled against the Labour whip hundreds of times under New Labour, without being suspended.
But these MPs' pointed criticism of the Starmer strategy has clearly hit a nerve.
'Couldn't support making people poorer'
Mr Duncan-Jordan told Paste BN that he understood speaking out against benefit cuts would "come at a cost" but said he "couldn't support making disabled people poorer".
Mr Leishman echoed that sentiment, saying: "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."
Both said they remain committed to the Labour Party and its values, suggesting they have no plans to join the new party being set up by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ousted MP Zarah Sultana.
Similarly Mr Hinchliff said in a brief statement: "I remain proud to have been elected as a Labour MP and I hope in time to return to the Labour benches."
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The suspensions will be seen as an attempt to restore discipline ahead of the summer recess following a number of rebellions that has forced the government into U-turns.
As well as watering down the welfare bill, some cuts to the winter fuel payment have been reversed, leaving Chancellor Rachel Reeves with a fiscal blackhole to fill.