Several Labour MPs who rebelled on a vote to scrap the two-child benefit limit have been suspended. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced his first Commons rebellion with seven MPs supporting the SNP-led amendment to the King’s Speech, according to the division list released this evening (July 23).
Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, Rebecca Long-Bailey, John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana have been suspended from the parliamentary party for six months, after which their position will be reviewed. READ MORE: Man City star Khiara Keating and her mum appear in court In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Sultana said: “I have been informed by the Chief Whip & the Labour Party leadership that the whip has been withdrawn from me for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which would lift 330,000 children out of poverty.
I will always stand up for the most vulnerable in our society.” Ahead of the vote, Sir Keir had said there is “no silver bullet” to end child poverty but acknowledged the “passion” of Labour MPs who were considering rebelling over the continuation of the Tory measure.
More than 40 Labour MPs recorded no vote, with some of those listed spotted in the chamber throughout the day, while others will have had permission to miss the vote.
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