UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Jess Phillips backed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to suspend four MPs, saying the party must act as a united team in times of division.
As reported by Sky News, a home office minister backed Labour leader Keir Starmer’s move to discipline rebel MPs, saying some colleagues would have used harsher words for those who “continually cause trouble” in the party.
What did Jess Phillips say about Labour MPs facing action?
Jess Phillips, in an interview with Sky News’ Matt Barbet, said Labour MPs were elected “as a team under a banner and under a manifesto.” She warned they “could expect” consequences if they failed to support the government.
Her remarks followed backlash against Keir Starmer for suspending four Labour MPs who opposed the government’s welfare bill earlier this month. Three others were also removed from their trade envoy roles.
Ms Phillips stated,
“We were elected as a team under a banner and under a manifesto, and we have to seek to work together, and if you are acting in a manner that is to undermine the ability of the government to deliver those things, I don’t know what you expect.”
She said,
“Now I speak out against things I do not like, both internally and sometimes externally, all the time. There is a manner of doing that, that is the right way to go about it. And sometimes you feel forced to rebel and vote against.”
When asked about the rebellion, she referred to The Times, stating,
“I didn’t call it persistent knob-headery, but that’s the way that it’s been termed by some.”
Ms Phillips said she would have opted for “something much more sweary”, stressing,
“We are a team, and we have to act as a team in order to achieve something.”
Which 4 Labour MPs were suspended and which 3 lost their roles?
Suspended (lost the whip):
- Brian Leishman
- Chris Hinchliff
- Neil Duncan-Jordan
- Rachael Maskell
Removed from trade envoy roles:
- Rosena Allin-Khan
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy
- Mohammed Yasin
What led to the suspension and demotion of Labour MPs?
Over 100 MPs initially dismissed the government’s plan to reduce PIP support.
In the end, the government made a U-turn, but 47 MPs still voted against the bill at its third reading.
Insiders say the seven MPs faced punishment not just for one incident, but for repeatedly breaking party rules.
Ms Maskell, a prominent figure in the welfare rebellion, has now called for a wealth tax to support the government’s U-turn.
North East Hertfordshire MP Mr Hinchliff opposed the government’s planning and finance bill, tabling several amendments to highlight major concerns.
Poole MP Mr Duncan-Jordan opposed the government’s plan to cut winter fuel payments. Alloa and Grangemouth MP Mr Leishman also raised concerns, criticising the UK’s stance on Gaza and the shutdown of a local oil refinery.
What did Labour MPs say about the suspensions?
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne slammed the prime minister’s conduct, warning it “don’t show strength.”
He added it was “damaging Labour’s support and risk rolling out the red carpet for Reform.”
Richard Meing, MP for Leeds East, warned that “challenging policies that harm our communities” could “make a Reform government much more likely.”
The Labour MP for Blyth and Ashington criticised the suspensions, describing them as “a terrible look.”
He added, “Dissatisfaction with the direction the leadership is taking us isn’t confined to the fringes.”
Rachael Maskell’s views on her suspension from Labour
Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, said Keir Starmer’s decision was wrong and urged the party to become a “broad church that listens to each other.”
She said,
“I don’t see myself as a ringleader, I joined with other colleagues who had similar concerns about this legislation. We ultimately do believe that cutting money from some of the poorest in our society is not what a Labour government should be doing.”
Ms Maskell added,
“Of course I brought to parliament the voices of my constituents, in fact, I told stories within the debate about their fragile mental health and the implications of losing money and the reforms would have on them. Quite frankly, disabled people are very invisible in our society, they don’t have agency and voice. What was so important about that debate was the recognition of that.”
She stated,
“The chief whip made it very clear to me … that my work on the disabled people reforms were the reason why I was being suspended from the Labour party.”
Key facts about Labour’s welfare bill
- The bill planned to save £5bn by cutting disability and Universal Credit support, but most savings were dropped.
- 47 Labour MPs voted against the bill in the final reading, reducing the government’s majority.
- Up to 1.2 million could have lost disability benefits, but now only new claimants after 2026 are affected.
- A poll shows 40% oppose the cuts, especially those hitting disabled people.