Scottish Labour MP refuses to back Keir Starmer to lead Labour into general election after welfare cuts row
Brian Leishman said he was not focused on "personnel" but pointedly declined to endorse Starmer
A Scots Labour MP has refused to back Keir Starmer to lead Labour into the next general election after claiming he does not listen to colleagues.
Brian Leishman also said the Labour Government should dump the welfare cuts bill and replace it with a wealth tax on the rich.
The Prime Minister faces a crunch vote on Tuesday over plans to trim the welfare budget by cutting disability and sickness benefits.
He initially wanted to slash £5bn from the social security budget, but a major rebellion forced him to abandon cuts for existing claimants.
Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, is one of the Labour MPs who wants the bill scrapped.
In an interview with BBC Scotland, he was asked if he believed the bill will pass: 'I hope not and I am certainly working to make sure that it doesn't because, quite frankly, the concessions that were made at the tail end of the last week, they are not enough.
'My gut reaction would be that there is enough of us to make the Government think again.'
He said a cuts agenda will damage Labour and he laid out an alternative plan to win the next general election:
'How do we get a second term? It's quite obvious for me. Let's improve people's living standards.
He said the Labour Government should raise revenue through an annual 2% wealth tax on multi millionaires with assets over £10m, which he said would generate around £24bn a year.
Leishman said he is not proud of Labour's first year in government, adding: 'We've got to do better, of that there is no doubt.'
He was also asked if Starmer listens enough to Labour MPs: 'No, I think that is quite clear and I think that that is some sort of feedback that myself and many other colleagues in Parliament have passed on.'
On whether Starme r is the right man to lead Labour into the general election, he said:
'I think the next election is four years away and I think we've got to see demonstrable change in culture from the government.'
He also aimed a dig at Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been blamed for the initial proposals for cuts to welfare and winter fuel payments:
'We have got to be the party that redistributes power and wealth across society and that comes from the top and also the Chancellor.'
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he is confident the Government will win the vote on the welfare bill.
He told Sky News the recent concessions have 'put us in a much better position'.
'As a result of the changes, it means anyone watching this morning who's in receipt of personal independence payments now has the peace of mind of knowing that their situation is protected,' he said.
Streeting said 'we've got to listen' when asked if further concessions could be made on the welfare Bill.
He said the Labour Government 's u-turn this week signalled a change to 'not just the package, but also the approach' and that there is now a commitment to work with disability organisations to 'get this right'.
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