Sir Keir Starmer has suspended four Labour MPs today for “repeated breaches of party discipline”.
Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell were suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party and will sit as independent MPs.
All four voted against the government’s welfare reforms earlier this month, among 47 party MPs to rebel.
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However, Sky News understands that this isn’t the only reason behind the decision, and that more suspensions could come.
But who are the four MPs suspended? And how critical were they of the government?
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The MP for Alloa and Grangemouth was first elected in last year’s general election. While the constituency was contested for the first time that year, it would have been an SNP seat notionally.
Mr Leishman is also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group inside Labour and was previously elected to Perth and Kinross Council in 2022.
A frequent voter against the government, he has criticised his party for not doing enough to save Grangemouth oil refinery, and rebelled against votes on the Winter Fuel Allowance and welfare.
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In a statement, he said: “I am a proud Labour member, and I remain committed to the party.”
He added that he wishes “to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,” but added he voted against the government on some issues to represent his constituents.
“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.
“It is the honour of my life to be the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, and my priority remains representing and fighting for constituents, whether they voted for me or not.”
Another 2024 newcomer to Parliament, the MP for North East Hertfordshire is one of the younger politicians at 31 years old.
He won the constituency for the first time since it was established in 1997.
As MP, Mr Hinchliff has supported rebellions on cuts to welfare and the Winter Fuel Allowance, and also proposed amendments to the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill – criticising the government’s consultation with private finance groups – in April.
So far, the MP hasn’t made a public statement, but he had previously said he didn’t mind losing the whip over his opposition to the welfare cuts.
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The MP for Poole was also elected in the 2024 election, winning his seat from the Conservatives by just 18 votes. It was the first time Labour had won in the constituency.
Before standing for election, Mr Duncan-Jordan was a regional officer for UNISON, one of the largest trade unions in the UK.
He’s been an outspoken critic of proposed cuts to welfare and disability payments, calling the welfare bill a “dog’s dinner” and last year leading an early day motion to postpone an end to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
In response to losing the whip, said in a statement: “I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn’t support making disabled people poorer”.
“Although I’ve been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today,” he added, “I’ve been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.
“To my constituents: it’s business as usual. I remain your hardworking local MP, I will continue to take up your concerns and speak up for Poole.”
Shortly before 4pm, the MP for York Central became the fourth MP to be suspended by the government for rebelling.
In Parliament since 2015, Ms Maskell led the welfare rebellion against the government’s reforms – and voted against them even after they were significantly watered down.
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Earlier this month, she told Sky News presenter Gareth Barlow: “No one feels comfortable when the family is arguing, and that’s why listening is so important.
“I want to see instituted back in the heart of the party a recognition of the role of backbenchers.”
And speaking to Sky’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig after her suspension, she said: “The reason I have been suspended is because I voted in the way I did. I believe I am fighting for people that really matter, the poorest people in society.
“That is why the Labour Party was created – I will never give up that fight.”
