Tuesday 10 September 2024

STARMER WINS FUEL CUT VOTE

A Tory attempt to block Labour's winter fuel allowance cuts has predictably failed in the Commons thanks to Labour's huge majority.  Despite support from the Lib Dems, Reform, Greens, SNP, Plaid, independents and all the Northern Ireland parties (excluding Sinn Fein), the Tories lost the vote 348-228.  52 Labour MPs abstained or were absent from the vote, but only one - Jon Trickett - voted against the government.

Labour MPs who abstained or did not register a vote

Diane Abbott
Tahir Ali
Rosena Allin-Khan
Fleur Anderson
Tonia Antoniazzi
Paula Barker
Lorraine Beavers
Hilary Benn
Matt Bishop
Elsie Blundell
Phil Brickell
Dawn Butler
Beccy Cooper
Marsha de Cordova
Stephen Doughty
Rosie Duffield
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Maria Eagle
Cat Eccles
Sarah Edwards
Clive Efford
Mary Foy
Gill Furniss
Paulette Hamilton
Sharon Hodgson
Leigh Ingham
Diana Johnson
Kim Johnson
Mike Kane
Naushabah Khan
Ian Lavery
Emma Lewell-Buck
Clive Lewis
Amanda Martin
Rachael Maskell
Andy McDonald
Grahame Morris
Kate Osamor
Kate Osborne
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Marie Rimmer
Naz Shah
Cat Smith
Sarah Smith
Euan Stainbank
Kenneth Stevenson
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Chris Webb
Nadia Whittome
Mohammad Yasin
Daniel Zeichner

It is not clear how many of these MPs abstained in protest, but there are reports that only 12 were absent from the chamber.  Several ministers were among those who did not vote, which will rattle Starmer if they deliberately abstained.

The seven members of the Socialist Campaign Group currently suspended from Labour following a previous rebellion, mostly continued their dissidence by backing the Tory motion.

Labour MPs currently suspended following a previous rebellion, voted as follows

Apsana Begum (for Tory motion)
Richard Burgon (for)
Ian Byrne (for)
Imran Hussain (did not vote)
Rebecca Long-Bailey (did not vote)
John McDonnell (for)
Zarah Sultana (for)

Jeremy Corbyn also backed the Tory motion.

It is not yet known if Starmer will strip Jon Trickett of the party whip.  The veteran MP, also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, posted the following statement on his social media accounts.


Following the vote, the words 'SHAME ON YOU' trended on X.  Many users posted the words and tagged in Labour MPs who had voted for the fuel cut.  Some pointed out the hypocrisy of some MPs who had previously pledged to maintain the fuel allowance or had accused the then Tory government of plotting to end it.

Many on the left are particularly exasperated that just two months into a Labour government, it is them who cuts the allowance and the Tory opposition is joined by every single party in opposing the move.  Shame on you, Keir.  You may unite this country, after-all... against you!

1 comment:

  1. The sooner we get tid of the labour party the bettet for everyone

    ReplyDelete