UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Sir Keir Starmer faces backlash from his MPs to reverse winter fuel cuts after poor local election results, with Red Wall MPs warning of voter dissatisfaction.
As reported by The Independent, British PM Keir Starmer faces growing pressure from Labour MPs to act swiftly and reverse the winter fuel payment cuts.
Labour’s poor performance in last week’s local elections, with Reform picking up 10 councils and 600+ seats, has fueled public outrage over the policy.
Red Wall MP’s views on winter fuel cuts
The Red Wall group of Labour MPs, consisting of approximately 45 MPs, warned that Keir Starmer’s pledge to ‘go further and faster’ had been ignored.
The MPs raised concerns that voters across the UK had sent a clear message to the Labour Party, expressing disappointment with unmet expectations.
The statement said,
“Responding to the issues raised by our constituents, including on winter fuel, isn’t weak; it takes us to a position of strength,”
Urging the Prime Minister to
“break the disconnect between Westminster and the Red Wall areas.”
The Red Wall is made up of regions in the Midlands and Northern England that have historically supported the Labour Party.
What did Keir Starmer say about the government’s response to disappointing election results?
The Prime Minister admitted that his government must “explain the decisions that we have taken” after a “disappointing” set of election results. However, his press secretary insisted that the government would not be “blown off course.”
Sources indicated the government was exploring the option of increasing the £11,500 limit, beyond which pensioners lose their eligibility for the allowance.
PM’s spokesperson’s stance on the £11,500 allowance
According to the prime minister’s spokesperson, the government will not alter its stance, confirming there will be “not be a change to the government’s policy.”
The spokesperson added that the decision
“was one that we had to take to ensure economic stability and repair the public finances following the £22bn black hole left by the previous government.”
Despite this, the mounting pressure from within the Labour Party and the opposition is urging Downing Street to reverse its position on the issue.
How did Labour MPs react to the government’s winter fuel cuts?
Diane Abbott, a veteran Labour MP, urged the government to fully restore the winter fuel allowance, stressing that a policy review alone wouldn’t meet the needs of pensioners or “restore Labour’s battered reputation.”
Labour peer and Welsh First Minister warned that her patience with UK Labour is wearing thin, urging the government to review its stance.
Sheffield Heeley’s stance on Labour’s recent election results and policy decisions
The MP for Sheffield Heeley stated,
“I don’t think we can underestimate how catastrophic those results were last week for the Labour Party… people don’t really feel that we’re taking the action to address the issues that matter, whether that be on the cost of living, the public services or on the economy more widely, and that’s very frustrating.”
He added,
“I think the unpopular decisions are overshadowing the good ones. I think this Labour government has a lot to offer, whether it be the Employment Rights Bill, the increase in the minimum wage, the massive investment in our NHS, but people have heard the winter fuel allowance and the welfare cuts overwhelmingly.”
What did Labour MP Richard Burgon say about winter fuel payments and the government’s stance?
Leeds West Labour MP Richard Burgon stated that the party should not be “stubborn” on the issue of winter fuel payments, labelling the policy as “unpopular” and wrong.
He stated,
“If the government wants to show that it actually gets it, in the words of the prime minister, then the government must fully reinstate the winter fuel allowance, not just tinker around the edges. And we can’t be dragged, kicking and screaming, into rethinking this policy.”
Daisy Cooper’s views on the government’s response to local election results
Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, slammed the government for its refusal to shift its stance, calling it “a completely tone-deaf” reaction to the local elections.
She said,
“The public is rightly furious at the government’s decision to rip vital support from millions of the most vulnerable, yet ministers simply are not listening.”
Ms Cooper stated,
“From winter fuel payments to the family farm tax, this government has turned a blind eye to millions of people who can feel the damage that these half-baked policies are doing. It is time to change course.”
What did Jonathan Reynolds say about Labour’s electoral performance and the winter fuel cut?
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds admitted that the winter fuel cut had played a role in Labour’s disappointing performance, stating,
“I think that has been a feature. I think the prime minister himself has said that and we’re not sugar-coating those results, they’re very challenging for us.”
What did YouGov polling reveal about Reform UK’s position?
According to new polling from The Times and Sky News, conducted by YouGov, Reform UK has hit a record high in vote share, sitting seven points ahead of Labour.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, secured 29 points, surpassing Labour, which stood at 22. The Tories were behind at 17 points, with the Liberal Democrats at 16.