AssetID: 54923940
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Labour Party Suspends Four MPs
Caption: Labour Party Suspends Four MPs. Sir Keir Starmer has suspended Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, and Rachael Maskell after they voted against the government’s welfare reform bill. All four suspended MPs will now sit as independents in the House of Commons, reflecting deep divisions within Labour. Three MPs—Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Mohammed Yasin—were also removed from trade envoy roles after opposing the bill. 47 Labour MPs rebelled against the welfare bill, which aimed to save £5bn a year by cutting disability and sickness benefits. Public backlash forced ministers to soften the reforms, but many Labour MPs still voted against the final plan. Rachael Maskell, seen as a leader of the rebellion, described the bill as ‘Dickensian' and defended her actions as representing her constituents. Both Duncan-Jordan and Leishman stressed they remain committed to Labour’s values, even after their suspension. This is the latest episode of internal division under Keir Starmer, following previous suspensions over benefit cap rebellions. Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, now founding a new party with Jeremy Corbyn, accused Labour of 'punishing compassion’. The Conservative Party claims the suspensions are a diversion from economic issues like rising inflation and taxation. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Labour,MPs suspended,welfare cuts,Keir Starmer,Rachael Maskell,Neil Duncan-Jordan,disability benefits,welfare reform,party rebellion,UK politics,benefit bill,Labour Party discipline,House of Commons,social policy
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