Sir Keir’s Starmer’s premiership is “starting to unravel” as his MPs plot mounting a mega-rebellion over benefits cuts, a former Labour MP has warned.
The Prime Minister is bracing for as many as 170 Labour MPs to defy his orders on July 1, with at least 42 already publicly confirming their intention to revolt.
Starmer’s woes were made even worse last night after Government Whip Vicky Foxcroft resigned from the Labour frontbench to vote against £5billion worth of cuts to Britain’s benefits bill.
Rosie Duffield, who quit the Labour whip last September over women’s rights, ramped up pressure on the Prime Minister shortly after by urging her former colleagues to fall on the right side of history.
The Canterbury MP said: “Less than a year and it’s all starting to really unravel.
“Labour MPs will have to pick a side carefully. Loyalty and only one term as an MP, or principles and a clear conscience.”
Since entering No10 after the 2024 General Election, the Prime Minister’s support has slumped in the opinion polls.
Despite U-turning on his initial decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments, the latest Find Out Now poll puts Reform UK eight-points ahead of Labour.
Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a visit to the BAE Systems’ Govan facility
GETTY
Tulip Siddiq, Andrew Gwynne, Louise Haigh and Anneliese Dodds
PA
Rosie Duffield has repeatedly clashed with the Labour leadership as a result of her trans stancePA
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is storming ahead in the polls
GETTY
Labour’s Lewisham North MP Vicky FoxcroftPA
A copy of Vicky Foxcroft’s letter to the Prime MinisterVICKY FOXCROFT
Angela Rayner PARLIAMENT
Sir Keir Starmer
PA
“I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people’s finances.”
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also refused to rule out punishing Labour MPs who defy Starmer’s orders.
Responding to a question from SNP MP Pete Wishart about whether the Prime Minister intended to strip the whip from Labour rebels, Rayner said: “We’re absolutely committed to ending child poverty.
“We’ve already introduced free school meals. We’re already supporting families.
“We’ve given a living wage rise to over millions of workers that need it. We’re getting on the job.”
