Sir Keir Starmer has suspended three Labour MPs from the parliamentary party following their rebellion against the Government's welfare reforms. The Labour leader has moved swiftly to discipline backbenchers who defied the party whip earlier this month.
Neil Duncan-Jordan and Brian Leishman have confirmed their suspensions, while The Times has reported that Chris Hinchliff has also lost the whip. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion and were first elected at last year's general election.
MPs defend welfare vote
Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, said he remains "as committed as ever" to Labour values but accepted that voting against the welfare plans "could come at a cost". The suspended MP has been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years.
"Since being elected, I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits," Duncan-Jordan said in a statement. "I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn't support making disabled people poorer."
Leishman vows to continue
Leishman said he is a "proud Labour member" and remains "committed to the party" despite his suspension. The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip "temporarily suspended".
"I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving," Leishman said in a statement. "I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth."
Austerity concerns raised
The Scottish MP said he firmly believes it is not his duty to make people poorer, especially those who have suffered from austerity. "I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences," he said.
The suspensions represent a significant disciplinary action by Starmer as Labour governs with a substantial majority. All three MPs were part of a wider rebellion against the Government's welfare reforms earlier this month.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
