Latest news with #PLP
New Statesman
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Will Labour's backbencher purge have unexpected concequences?
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott addresses delegates in the main hall of the Brighton Centre on the second day of the Labour Party conference on September 22, 2019 in Brighton, England. Labour return to Brighton for the 2019 conference against a backdrop of political turmoil over Brexit. (Photo by) There are five fewer Labour MPs as this week closes than there were when it started. Four MPs – new intake serial rebels Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman and Neil Duncan Jordan, plus 2015 intake critic Rachael Maskell – had the whip removed on Wednesday. On Thursday, following a radio interview in which she defended the controversial 2023 letter that saw her suspended from the Labour Party, Diane Abbott is once again an independent, rather than Labour, MP. The question of who, exactly, gets to be a Labour candidate or a Labour MP has been a very live one in the last few years. The selections that took place in advance of the general election were tightly controlled. I remember being genuinely surprised in 2022 when Maurice Mcleod, a councillor considered a strong candidate in the Camberwell and Peckham selection, was blocked from the longlist (I wasn't the only one; well liked moderate MP for Vauxhall Florence Eshalomi said she thought Mcleod should have been able to put himself in front of members). By the time of the general election, there had been many such cases of candidates not making the cut (most dramatically and acrimoniously in Broxtowe, a series of events surely not unrelated from the fact that many of the local councillors have now gone independent). I can't pronounce on the reasonings behind each of these, and the party was very clear that it was merely interested in high quality candidates. Taking a step back, however, it was possible to discern a very distinct factional direction. I flippantly took to telling people that the average 2019 era Labour candidate was a public sector worker with some questionable tweets, and the average 2024 candidate was a lobbyist with a good half marathon time. The instincts for control that guided Labour's selection processes have continued into its party management (along with some of the same personnel). The opposition that was quick to block or ditch candidates is now a government quick to suspend the whip. In this regard it's vastly more trigger happy than the last Labour government. There are, however, a number of problems with this approach. Vet as hard as you like, it is just not possible to create a completely, always and forever, loyal PLP when you win so many seats and you are trying to push through legislation – like the welfare bill – unpopular with your base. Let's consider Chris Hinchliff. Labour did not put resources into winning his North East Hertfordshire seat, and the selection process (he was picked after the election was called) did not receive the scrutiny that Labour's pick in, say, Camberwell and Peckham did. But on the day they did win it – and almost certainly won't hold it. No favours owed for selection, no realistic possibility of resource in future, or promotion – there's not much to motivate Hinchliff to follow the party line rather than his conscience. The same applies to Neil Duncan-Jordan, who was a Unison official before becoming the Labour MP for Poole last year with a majority of just 18. When he was suspended earlier this week, he said that he 'couldn't support making disabled people poorer' and that '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'. In short, Duncan-Jordan is just a normal Labour guy and he, like the membership of the party as a whole, didn't like the proposed PIP cuts. When you win seats like Poole and North East Hertforshire, you end up having selected a whole bunch of normal Labour types (and you probably made their activists go elsewhere at the election, creating a sense that they owe less to the party than more caressed candidates). And in truth, my glib line about lobbyists and half marathon times has proved ungenerous: on the whole, the PLP is more interesting than I might have expected a year ago. Let's also think about Diane Abbott. Her decision to re-litigate her 2023 letter is a harder to defend bone of contention than the general rebelliousness that has seen the other ejected, but she also has status the others don't, as an icon of the party and a genuinely famous person. She was the first black woman MP; she has been a regular on television and radio for decades; she ran to be Labour leader and was shadow home secretary. Fundamentally, lots of people know who Diane Abbott is and not very many know who Chris Hinchliff is. In the last election I knocked on the doors of people many miles from her constituency who said they wouldn't vote Labour because of how she had been treated; it's not a comment on his merits to say I struggle to imagine Brian Leishman provoking this response. This Labour Party's instinct for control and a church that can be broad as long as it's quiet about it is longstanding. When the world changes, however, you need to change with it: there is now a space opening up to the left of Labour, and an overall move from the two party system to something more complicated. Independents, Greens, and whatever ultimately emerges from Zarah Sultana's recent announcement all now present real threats to Labour – and will presumably want to court the newly un-whipped MPs. Whether or not they're successful (I think people often under-rate the emotional connection politicians have to Labour, so would be hesitant to predict any concrete defections), it's not an ideal position. Keeping so many troops in line is a genuinely difficult proposal. The party are unlikely to reconsider its heretofore very decisive view on whether it is in fact better to have your opponents in your tent pissing out than outside pissing in – but perhaps they should. [See also: A day out with Jeremy Corbyn's new party] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Labour MPs alarmed by rise in sponsored events arranged by party
Labour MPs have privately raised alarm at the number of sponsored corporate receptions for backbenchers that have been arranged by the party, amid concerns about perceived conflicts of interest. MPs have received invitations for networking receptions that include explicit advertisements for property developers or public affairs firms. The invitations are sent to MPs directly from the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) office and forwarded by party whips. 'The PLP office has literally become a public affairs agency,' one MP said. 'The wording is genuinely shocking.' An invitation for a summer reception in London said it would be an MP-only event and an 'opportunity for members of the PLP and frontbenchers to relax in a private setting with senior party figures as we return from the summer recess'. The PLP reception would be hosted in partnership with the property developer Vistry, the invitation said, and included a lengthy advertising pitch for the company. 'As the country's largest homebuilder, we leverage our expertise, skills and scale to deliver quality new housing,' it read, and went on to promote Vistry's timber-manufacturing capability. A party source said attendance was optional for MPs but at least one invitation made it clear there was an expectation for MPs to attend. 'These bi-annual events are important for the Party, so your attendance would be greatly appreciated,' one said. MPs are understood to have complained about the explicit corporate nature of the event on an MPs WhatsApp group. A similar event hosted for Labour MPs in the north-west has been sponsored by Mitie, the facilities management company that provides outsourcing services. One MP said this was directly at odds with Labour's stated values to return to insourcing services. This week MPs were invited to attend a 'kickstart economic growth PLP reception' with 'important speakers' at Mastercard's headquarters that had been arranged so MPs would have time to return to vote in the Commons. 'PLP staff are on hand outside and in the venue,' the invitation read. The credit card company also hosted a reception for Labour's MPs in the north-west, with the PLP office invitation offering a tour of Mastercard's 'experience centre', where the company would demonstrate 'some of the cutting-edge technology and innovation that's supporting small businesses'. MPs have previously complained about a winter reception, held for the London regional group of MPs, sponsored by the communications consultancy Kanda. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The invitation included a lengthy advertising blurb for Kanda, which said the company worked with clients 'to understand, navigate and respond to the commercial drivers impacting the real-estate sector, including government legislature [and] local issues'. First Rail, a leading transport group operating Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway, sponsored a similar reception for the northern regional group of MPs and another event with Go Ahead, also a large public transport group with contracts across the north of England. A regional reception in December for Scottish MPs was sponsored by Octopus Energy, at the same time the renewable energy group was pushing for a zonal pricing scheme that would benefit Scotland. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has since decided not to go ahead with the project. Members of the PLP group of MPs from the north of England said they were frequently invited to commercial briefings, including with BP Teesside, Yorkshire Water and the British Association of Independent Exploration Companies that lobbies on behalf of the North Sea energy industry. The invitations were also promoted to MPs by party officials. A Labour party spokesperson said: 'Commercial partnerships at events are a longstanding practice and have no bearing on party or government policy.'
Powys County Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Starmer says welfare reform vote will go ahead despite mounting Labour revolt
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will have a showdown with Labour rebels over the welfare reforms which have split his party. The Prime Minister said the Commons vote would go ahead on Tuesday as planned despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. Sir Keir said his party was elected 'to change that which is broken' and the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. Insisting the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would not be pulled in the face of the mounting rebellion, Sir Keir told LBC: 'There'll be a vote on Tuesday, we're going to make sure we reform the welfare system.' The legislation plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Defending the plans while at the Nato summit in The Hague, Sir Keir said the current system 'traps people in a position where they can't get into work'. 'In fact, it's counterproductive, it works against them getting into work,' he said. 'So we have to reform it, and that is a Labour argument, it's a progressive argument.' The rebels argue that disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this. 'I would say to the Government, listen to the PLP.' His comments came after his London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, said that ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans. Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink of the plans. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures.
North Wales Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer says welfare reform vote will go ahead despite mounting Labour revolt
The Prime Minister said the Commons vote would go ahead on Tuesday as planned despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. Sir Keir said his party was elected 'to change that which is broken' and the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. Insisting the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would not be pulled in the face of the mounting rebellion, Sir Keir told LBC: 'There'll be a vote on Tuesday, we're going to make sure we reform the welfare system.' The legislation plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Defending the plans while at the Nato summit in The Hague, Sir Keir said the current system 'traps people in a position where they can't get into work'. 'In fact, it's counterproductive, it works against them getting into work,' he said. 'So we have to reform it, and that is a Labour argument, it's a progressive argument.' The rebels argue that disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this. 'I would say to the Government, listen to the PLP.' His comments came after his London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, said that ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans. Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink of the plans. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories would lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
South Wales Guardian
25-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer says welfare reform vote will go ahead despite mounting Labour revolt
The Prime Minister said the Commons vote would go ahead on Tuesday as planned despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. Sir Keir said his party was elected 'to change that which is broken' and the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. Insisting the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would not be pulled in the face of the mounting rebellion, Sir Keir told LBC: 'There'll be a vote on Tuesday, we're going to make sure we reform the welfare system.' The legislation plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Defending the plans while at the Nato summit in The Hague, Sir Keir said the current system 'traps people in a position where they can't get into work'. 'In fact, it's counterproductive, it works against them getting into work,' he said. 'So we have to reform it, and that is a Labour argument, it's a progressive argument.' The rebels argue that disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this. 'I would say to the Government, listen to the PLP.' His comments came after his London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, said that ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans. Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink of the plans. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories would lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
