Latest news with #Brian Leishman
Sky News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Who are the suspended Labour MPs - and why did they lose the whip?
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. 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? Brian Leishman 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. 9:36 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." Chris Hinchliff 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. Neil Duncan-Jordan 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." Rachael Maskell 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. 0:55 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."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Brian Leishman criticises Labour policies after suspension
Scottish MP Brian Leishman has said he cannot back policies that "make people poorer" after being suspended by Alloa and Grangemouth representative has repeatedly criticised Sir Keir Starmer over the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, welfare reforms and winter fuel payment cuts. Leishman is one of three Labour MPs - alongside Neil Duncan-Jordan and Chris Hinchliff - to have lost the party whip for breaching party discipline, meaning they will now sit as independents. Leishman said he remained committed to the party and signalled that he would seek to re-join the parliamentary group. The party is yet to comment on specific rule breaches, but it comes after 47 Labour MPs rebelled against the UK government's proposed cuts to welfare and forced ministers to gut the reforms of key proposals. All three of the suspended MPs voted against the government's welfare reform bill earlier this month. In a statement, Leishman insisted he was a proud Labour member."I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving," the MP said. "I have voted against the government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth."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."Senior Labour sources have not ruled out more MPs being suspended. Following a landslide victory north and south of the border at last year's general election, Scottish Labour's new cohort of MPs has remained largely loyal to the government - with Leishman the consistent has hit out at the prime minister over the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery in his constituency, arguing more could be done to save more than 400 Leishman criticised the government's decision to cut winter fuel payments to millions of was also among the most vocal of a group of Scottish Labour MPs who joined a backbench rebellion against welfare reforms. Although many of the rebels backed down once the government made major concessions, Leishman remained in steadfast opposition to the watered-down bill and voted against it. Just hours before he was suspended, Leishman asked Sir Keir about Fife bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis at Prime Minister's the Labour leader said he was working with English mayors to put in orders for zero-emissions buses in a bid to save the firm, Leishman posted on X to confirm that he was working with the UK government "to help save Scottish bus manufacturing".SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart said: "It says it all that the only Labour MP who has dared stand up for Scotland has been suspended by Keir Starmer - simply because he refused to betray his constituents like every other Scottish Labour MP has done repeatedly."
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Labour Suspends UK MPs Following Welfare Revolt Earlier in July
Labour suspended a number of its members of Parliament for breaking party discipline following a large-scale rebellion over welfare cuts earlier this month. The Times of London and the Guardian on Wednesday said Labour had suspended at least three MPs, while the Financial Times said several were expected to be suspended. Neil Duncan-Jordan and Brian Leishman both confirmed their suspensions. The I named Chris Hinchliff as a third MP suspended, while the Independent said Rachel Maskell, one of the leaders of the welfare revolt, had also been called in to talk to the party's chief whip.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer suspends rebellious MPs
Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a purge of troublesome backbenchers as he suspended a number of MPs. Neil Duncan- Jordan and Brian Leishman have confirmed their suspensions from the parliamentary party, while The Times has reported that Chris Hinchliff has also lost the whip. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year's election. Mr Duncan-Jordan has said he remains 'as committed as ever' to Labour values, but accepted that voting against the welfare plans 'could come at a cost'. In a statement, the MP for Poole said: 'Since being elected, I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits. '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, I've been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.' Meanwhile, while Mr Leishman said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party' The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' Mr Leishman said in a statement. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. '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.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Keir Starmer suspends three rebel MPs
Sir Keir Starmer is reported to have suspended a number of rebellious MPs. The Labour leader has suspended Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan- Jordan and Chris Hinchcliff, according to the Times. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year's election. The office of Mr Leishman – who represents Alloa and Grangemouth – confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. In a statement, he said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' he added. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. '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.'
