Over 100 MPs this week backed an amendment threatening the Prime Minister’s welfare cuts.
Concerns have been raised by dozens of Labour MPs regarding the proposals to reduce disability and sickness-related benefits payments in order to save £5 billion annually by 2030.
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that he will go ahead with the vote on Tuesday, saying he will “lead from the front” amid party chaos.
Here’s what the papers have to say.
Daily Mail
“Considering Sir Keir Starmer has not been in No 10 even a year, the size of this rebellion is utterly humiliating. No 10 has only itself to blame for this insurgency. Its winter fuel payments U-turn showed the Left that our pusillanimous PM can be made to fold under pressure. He insists he won’t backtrack this time, but it’s looking more likely by the day.”
The Times
“The PM must rediscover the ruthlessness he demonstrated before the election when he purged Labour’s candidates list of Left-wingers, and when he suspended seven MPs for opposing his plan to keep the two-child benefit cap. He should make it clear that he is prepared to turn the vote on the benefits bill into one of confidence in his government. That is the nuclear option: if he lost, an election would be called. This bill is not just a tweak to the welfare system. The country’s future is at stake. Sir Keir must make it clear to the rebels that for Labour, and for Britain, this is make or break.”
The Sun
“The irony is that the welfare changes are already inadequate. In total, they save just £5billion. The truth is the Labour rebels have no clue how to tackle the giant welfare bill draining our economy. And they’re even less interested in the unfairness of hard-working families paying for others to do nothing.”
What we say
The PM insists there is a “moral case” for the reforms which have sparked anger among Labour backbenchers and ministers, as well as the wrath of Sir Sadiq Khan. But it is extraordinary that Sir Keir’s authority is being so sorely tested after less than a year in power, and with such a massive majority. The football-loving premier has now scored another spectacular own goal.
