Starmer cracks down on rebel Labour MPs

Keir Starmer Faces Turbulent First Year as Prime Minister

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a rocky first year in office, struggling to maintain authority over his ruling Labour party amid a revolt over controversial welfare reforms.

Suspensions and Reversals

• Starmer suspended four Labour MPs—Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Rachael Maskell, and Chris Hinchliff—for voting against planned cuts to disability and sickness benefits.
• All four MPs backed Starmer’s earlier decision to halt the reforms on July 1 to avoid a humiliating parliamentary defeat.
• Leishman confirmed his temporary suspension from the party, while Duncan-Jordan emphasized the cost of opposing the government, citing a refusal to worsen disabled people’s welfare.

Strategic Discipline and Risk

Political scientist Steven Fielding described the purge as a bid by Starmer to reinforce party discipline, warning rebels that future dissent could lead to suspension. Fielding cautioned that the strategy was risky given the large number of lawmakers opposed to the welfare bill, suggesting Starmer should talk to backbenchers and understand their motives.

Parliamentary Majority vs. Party Disconnect

• Starmer enjoys a massive majority of about 160 MPs, theoretically allowing him to pass any legislation.
• However, some party members complain of a disconnect between his leadership—focused on combating the rise of Reform UK—and Labour’s traditional centre-left principles.

Recent U‑Turns and Popularity Decline

Since winning a landslide general election in July last year, Starmer’s popularity has dipped. Labour now trails Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in many national polls, although the next election appears to be four years away.

Reactions and Calls for Bridge Building

Maskell, who confirmed her suspension, urged Starmer to engage with backbenchers, expressing a desire to build “bridges” and calling the approach a pathway to becoming a better prime minister.

Notable Policy Reversals

• In June, the government reversed a policy to scrap a winter heating benefit for millions of pensioners following widespread criticism and an internal rebellion.
• Also in June, Starmer announced a national inquiry into a child sex exploitation scandal after previously resisting calls.

Labour’s Current Standing

Labour did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the party now trails far-right Reform UK in many national polls. The next election is likely four years away.