Sir Keir Starmer has stood defiant over his decision to suspend seven MPs following their rebellion over the two-child benefit cap.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir said voting against the government over the King’s Speech is a serious matter, after a number of MPs broke ran and voted to scrap the policy.
“We’ve been very clear on our position on the child limit and why we did not commit to removing it both during the campaign and since. And that is because given the economic situation we’ve inherited, we are very clear that we’re not going to make promises that we can’t keep,” the spokesperson said.
It came as seven Tory MPs began jostling for support as nominations opened to find their next leader after Rishi Sunak steps down in November.
The teams that picked up nomination paperwork were James Cleverly, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman, according to Sky.
The official nominations do not close until Monday so more candidates are likely to join the race.
Key Points
- Seven MPs vying for leadership battle - Report
- Labour MP Long-Bailey breaks silence after being suspended
- Starmer: Tories ‘lost control’ of UK borders
- Suspended Zarah Sultana claims she is victim of Starmer’s ‘macho virility test’
Watch: Labour MP who had whip suspended over two-child benefit cap breaks silence
06:00
Salma Ouaguira
Mapped: How did my MP vote on the two-child benefit cap?
05:30
Salma Ouaguira
Scotland will lead energy revolution, says Starmer as GB Energy Bill introduced
03:00
Salma Ouaguira
Great British Energy will allow Scotland to “lead the clean energy revolution”, Sir Keir Starmer said as further details about the publicly-owned company are set to be announced.
The legislation to create GB Energy will be introduced at Westminster on Thursday, with ministers saying it will secure Scottish industries like offshore wind and hydrogen.
Labour has vowed to create a publicly-owned energy generation company headquartered in Scotland to drive the Government’s goal of making the UK a “clean energy superpower”.
The exact location of the HQ will be revealed “soon”, the Government said.
UK ministers have been in talks with the Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland on how GB Energy can help development and investment in Scotland.
They say a new partnership with the Crown Estate could leverage private investment of £60 billion into the UK’s energy infrastructure.
Thursday’s legislation will set out GB Energy’s objectives and ensure it has access to funding. Capitalisation of £8.3 billion has been promised in the current parliamentary session.
The Government says it will have five key functions, including project investment and building up supply chains.
Chancellor to ‘bang drum for British business’ at G20 meeting in Brazil
02:00
Salma Ouaguira
Rachel Reeves has vowed to “bang the drum for British business” at the G20 in Brazil during her first international trip as Chancellor.
She will arrive in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday to attend the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors.
She will press business leaders to “take another look at Britain” and talk about the Government’s plans to boost international investment.
Ms Reeves said: “Over the coming days my message to international leaders is simple: after years of uncertainty and instability, Britain is open for business once again.
“This new Government’s number one mission is to boost economic growth so we can make every part of the country better off. That can only happen by working alongside business from around the world to encourage them to invest in the jobs and industries of the future.
“That is why over the coming two days I will be banging the drum for British business and urging leaders to take another look at us.
“I’m ready to take my seat at the table alongside fellow finance ministers, steering the world economy and representing our national interests on the major issues of our time, including grasping the growth opportunities of the net-zero transition and putting pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.”
Ms Reeves will also champion the importance of having women in leadership roles in the fields of economics and finance by meeting other female leaders at the G20.
Impact of two-child benefit cap evident in food insecurity survey, says charity
Thursday 25 July 2024 00:10
Salma Ouaguira
Almost a quarter of families with three children experienced food insecurity last month, according to research by a charity which said the findings show the impact of the two-child benefit cap.
More than 6,000 adults were surveyed in the week leading up to the General Election, and the results have been published just days after Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saw off a rebellion which included some of his own MPs in a vote on the controversial policy.
The Food Foundation said its research shows action is “desperately needed” to relieve the pressure on families across the UK who are going hungry.
Its online survey asked 6,177 adults in the UK whether in the previous month they had reduced the size of or skipped meals because they could not afford or get access to food or if they had been hungry but not eaten due to unaffordability or inaccessibility of food.
The polling, carried out by YouGov, found that 14% of households were judged by these measures to have experienced food insecurity.
When it came to households with children, almost a fifth (18%) reported experiencing food insecurity, compared with 12% of households without children.
The charity said the findings also demonstrate the impact of the two-child benefit limit – which restricts child tax credit and universal credit to the first two children in most households.
Watch: Labour MP urges Hilary Benn to ‘rebuild strained relations’ with EU after Brexit disruption
Wednesday 24 July 2024 23:00
Jabed Ahmed
Bridget Phillipson announces ‘pause and review’ of planned cuts to BTec courses
Wednesday 24 July 2024 22:30
Jabed Ahmed
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the Government will be pausing planned funding cuts for a number of applied general qualifications (AGQs), such as BTecs.
AGQs are Level 3 qualifications, which include BTecs, for students who want to undertake a broad study of a specific vocational area.
The Department for Education (DfE) under the previous government had planned to remove funding for a number of post-16 qualifications that “overlap” with T-levels in England – which are considered to be broadly equivalent to three A-levels.
The first T-level courses were launched in September 2020 and are being rolled out gradually.
A report by the Protect Student Choice campaign predicted that the planned reduction in the number of AGQs – combined with slow growth in the number of students taking the Government’s new flagship technical courses (T-levels) – will create “a significant gap in the qualifications landscape”.
Keir Starmer accused of ‘authoritarian control-freakery’ over two-child benefit cap rebellion
Wednesday 24 July 2024 22:00
Jabed Ahmed
Disadvantaged children further behind in school than a decade ago despite £9bn spent, watchdog finds
Wednesday 24 July 2024 21:30
Jabed Ahmed
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Big Issue founder: Suspending MPs is ‘very disgraceful’
Wednesday 24 July 2024 20:50
Jabed Ahmed
Suspending seven Labour MPs for voting in support of scrapping the two-child benefit limit is “very disgraceful”, Big Issue founder Lord Bird has said.
Speaking in Parliament, the independent crossbencher and homelessness campaigner said: “Why is it the Government is punishing seven members of the Labour Party who have put the party behind the interests of the people?
“This is a very, very disgraceful thing to be doing so early in your administration.”
Responding, work and pensions minister Baroness Sherlock pointed to the Government setting up of a child poverty taskforce “that will of course look at important questions like household income” alongside other factors such as education and health.
New joint defence declaration with Germany has been signed by the Defence Secretary
Wednesday 24 July 2024 20:20
Jabed Ahmed
A new joint defence declaration with Germany has been signed by the defence secretary as part of a 48-hour drive of defence diplomacy, making his first visits to France, Germany, Poland, and Estonia.
Meeting counterparts across Europe, John Healy will set out the new government’s commitment to deepen defence ties with European allies, within a ‘NATO-first’ defence strategy.
The new declaration will be comprehensive defence agreement that has been signed between the UK and Germany.
MP raises questions over role of key Labour official on Casement Park rebuild
Wednesday 24 July 2024 20:00
Salma Ouaguira
Ministers have been pressed to guarantee a key Labour official has not sought to influence decisions on Casement Park.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) raised concerns over the role of Sue Gray, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, amid reports about her alleged involvement in talks over the project.
The derelict west Belfast ground has been earmarked to host five matches at the Euro 2028 football tournament, which is being held in the UK and Ireland.
Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: “The Government is committed to ensuring that Euro 2028 benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. We’re working as quickly as possible with all partners to assess the options on the Casement Park project.”
But Mr Wilson said: “Many people were surprised when the Secretary of State made it his priority to deliver on Casement Park.
“Committing £320 million for a stadium to host five matches at a time when there are huge waiting lists to be dealt with in the health service, special needs education needs funding and social housing needs funding is an indefensible use of public money.
“Can the Secretary of State give us an assurance that the Government’s view has not been influenced by any personal interventions by the chief of staff of the Labour Party, this is a personal project, and can he confirm that such an intervention would be a breach of public standards in public life?”
Mr Benn replied: “What I said was it’s a priority because a decision needs to be made.
“The fact is the Government has inherited a commitment to hosting the Euros at Casement Park, it is now a year and three-quarters since Uefa awarded that right to Northern Ireland and to the United Kingdom and Ireland, nothing has happened during the year and three-quarters since then to progress the project.”
Defence Secretary hails new UK-Germany security pact
Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:40
Salma Ouaguira
John Healey hailed a new security pact between Britain and Germany as the first step towards a “deep new defence relationship” between the countries, as the UK Government seeks to rebuild post-Brexit ties with Europe.
The Defence Secretary said the new Labour administration is “getting on with the job” and “resetting our relationships” with allies on the Continent after signing a “joint defence declaration” between London and Berlin.
Ministers agreed on a number of priorities for tighter co-operation as part of the new accord “recognising the need to collaborate more closely to defend our shared values”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
These include “strengthening UK and German defence industries, reinforcing Euro-Atlantic security, improving the efficiency of joint operations, confronting evolving security challenges such as the cyber domain”, and supporting Ukraine.
Mr Healey is making his first ministerial visits to Germany, France, Poland and Estonia on a whistlestop tour this week aimed at sending a message that European security will be the Government’s “first foreign and defence priority”.
On Tuesday night he met counterparts in France, alongside the Chiefs of Defence Staff from both nations, and thanked British personnel helping to support security at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
PM vows to tackle child poverty with ‘vigour’ amid unease over two-child cap
Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:20
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to tackle child poverty “with the same vigour” as the last Labour government when challenged over his refusal to immediately axe the two-child benefit cap.
His first Prime Minister’s Questions since entering No 10 came a day after he suspended seven Labour MPs for backing an SNP motion to abolish the welfare limit.
Sir Keir said: “The last Labour government lifted millions of children out of poverty, something we are very, very proud of.
“And this Government will approach the question with the same vigour with our new task force. Already we’ve taken steps: breakfast clubs, abolishing no-fault evictions, decent homes standard, Awaab’s Law, and a plan to make work pay.”
It came in response to a question by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who pointed to former prime minister Gordon Brown’s call for Scottish voters to back Labour to end child poverty ahead of the general election.
“Yet, last night, Labour MPs from Scotland were instructed to retain the two-child cap which forces children into poverty,” he said.
John McDonnell explains why he rebelled against government on King’s Speech
Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:05
Barney Davis
John McDonnell has explained why he led a rebellion over the two child benefits cap which led to him and a cabal of six other MPs being suspended for six months.
He has now written in The Guardian saying: “Seven Labour MPs, myself included, voting for an amendment when the government has such an overwhelming majority will be criticised by some as futile or gesture politics.
“Of course, I disagree.
“First, the stance taken has brought so much more welcome attention to the issue of child poverty and the impact of the egregious two-child cap. It is motivating campaigners to focus action in the forthcoming budget on child poverty.
“Second, it has meant that the government will inevitably have to address this issue, and has increased significantly the likelihood that the government will abolish the cap.
“Third, it has demonstrated that MPs, if they believe something is right, are willing to risk everything and stand by their cause.
“At a time when trust in our political system is at an all-time low, maybe from time to time some small interventions of this kind are needed to lift our spirits and confidence in our democracy.”
Sunak makes self-deprecating joke about election defeat at Starmer’s first PMQs
Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:00
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak made a self-deprecating joke in relation to his defeat at the General Election during Sir Keir Starmer’s first Prime Minister’s Questions at the helm.
As the Conservative leader wished the UK’s athletes good luck at the Paris Olympics, he mocked himself by stating that they would not be coming to him for advice on winning.
After 14 years in power, the Tories suffered a crushing defeat on July 4, losing 175 MPs, including a slew of prominent ministers such as Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps.
The former prime minister told the Commons: “I also join with the Prime Minister in his warm words about our Olympic athletes. I’ve no doubt that after years of training, focus and dedication they’ll bring back many gold medals.
“Although to be honest, I’m probably not the first person they want to hear advice from on how to win.”
MPs from across the House could be heard saying “aww” in response.
Tom Tugendhat least hated Tory leadership contender, new poll reveals
Wednesday 24 July 2024 18:52
Barney Davis
Tom Tugendhat has emerged as an early frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest because he has the lowest negative rating with members of the public.
Seven MPs vying for leadership battle - Report
Wednesday 24 July 2024 18:48
Barney Davis
Sky News are reporting that at least seven MPs are set to contest for the Tory leadership after their teams collected the paperwork needed to nominate someone to replace Rishi Sunak.
The likely candidates are expected to be James Cleverly, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman.
The official nominations do not close until Monday so more candidates are likely to join the race.
Sky are reporting that senior Tory MPs believe Mel Stride and Suella Braverman to be the least likely to win the contest.
Cleverly says Tories need to expand support base as leadership nominations open
Wednesday 24 July 2024 18:40
Salma Ouaguira
James Cleverly, the first Tory leadership hopeful to declare his candidacy, has said the party needs to expand its base of support and shake off the impression that it is more focused on infighting than serving the public.
There will potentially be a crowded field in the contest as nominations open on Wednesday in the race to replace Rishi Sunak, with a winner to be announced on November 2.
Former home secretary Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that his party has been “the most successful political movement, I think, in human history”.
But recent achievements, which he listed as including stabilising the economy and supporting Ukraine, were overshadowed by “a number of negatives”, he said.
“I think one of the reasons why the criticisms landed, and the good work didn’t get cut-through, is we’d spent too much time rowing amongst ourselves, which gave the impression – the wrong impression – but gave the impression that we were more focused on ourselves than serving the British people. So we have to get out of that habit.”
He said the Conservative Party needs to “expand our base of support” but when asked about a recent poll suggesting around half of Tory members are in favour of joining forces with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK that the party “doesn’t do mergers”.
Shadow minister urges Starmer to continue rollout of Tories’ T-levels
Wednesday 24 July 2024 18:20
Salma Ouaguira
Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds urged the Labour Government to continue with the rollout of the Tories’ T-levels.
During a debate on education, the Tory former minister said: “I hope they will see through T-levels and the reform of technical and vocational education, on the blueprint – and we always did this in government with a cross-party approach – on the blue print of Lord Sainsbury.”
The two-year courses, which are broadly equivalent to three A-levels, were introduced after Lord David Sainsbury published an independent review into technical education in 2016.
Earlier in his contribution, Mr Hinds told the Commons: “My ask of the Government is that while we absolutely acknowledge that they have just won the election and they have a big majority, nevertheless we ask them to be mindful and to be careful, and don’t change things just because you can.”
Labour MP: Councils and schools ‘buckling under the pressure of resources'
Wednesday 24 July 2024 18:00
Salma Ouaguira
A headteacher broke down when she described how difficult it was to balance special educational needs provision with funding challenges, an MP has told the Commons.
Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood Helen Hayes said: “In a context of the decimation of local authority funding since 2010 and with increasing presentation of additional needs across the country, local councils and schools are simply buckling under the pressure of resources they do not have and needs they cannot meet, while families are suffering the consequences.
“At a recent visit to an ‘outstanding’ school in my constituency, the headteacher broke down as she described the conflict of seeking to be an inclusive school with the reality of simply not having the funding that she needed to deliver for children with additional needs, while increasingly local authorities are being driven to the edge of financial viability by the costs of Send (special educational needs and disabilities) support and Send transport.”
Turning to children’s social care, Ms Hayes told MPs: “Care-experienced people are so overrepresented in both the criminal justice system and the homeless population because they are being so badly failed, that if the Government is serious about tackling these challenges, it must turn its attention to delivering better support and better outcomes for care-experienced people.”
Ms Hayes called for a “care experience covenant” in law to compel authorities to take corporate parenting responsibilities seriously.
Lib Dem MP claims children pretend to eat out of empty lunchboxes
Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:50
Salma Ouaguira
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson told the Commons she has heard about children pretending to eat out of empty lunchboxes due to a lack of funds.
Ms Wilson told MPs “hunger does not stop at the age of 11”, adding: “Children up and down the country cannot afford to eat, with some children being forced to pretend to eat out of empty lunchboxes or reportedly even eating rubbers out of desperation.
“In a country as wealthy as ours, no child should be going hungry at school, and that’s why I’m immensely proud it was the Liberal Democrats in government who introduced free school meals for every infant schoolchild. The benefits of a free school meal are immense.”
On Labour’s intention to charge VAT on private school fees, Ms Wilson said: “As Liberals, we champion choice.”
The frontbencher added: “Importantly and fundamentally, we believe that education should not be taxed – whether that’s private schools, whether that’s music tuition, whether that’s private tutoring, whether that’s childcare fees. The principle is education should not be taxed and so we are opposed to the Labour Government’s policy to introduce VAT on independent school fees.
“I don’t think this policy will do very much at all to boost our state schools and in fact it risks reducing the brilliant partnership work that we see between so many private schools and their local state schools such as sharing staff time and facilities.”
German security pact should be first step in UK joining new EU military, says former defence minister
Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:30
Salma Ouaguira
Keir Starmer has been urged to use his new defence and security pact with Germany as a springboard for the UK to integrate its military with the EU’s.
The call by former armed forces minister Sir Nick Harvey, now chief executive of the pro-EU European Movement, came as defence secretary John Healey today signed the landmark deal with the Germans.
It came on a day where Sir Keir Starmer agreed with an assessment that the UK could be at war in three years.
Mr Healey hailed the new security pact between Britain and Germany as the first step towards a “deep new defence relationship” between the countries, as the UK Government seeks to rebuild post-Brexit ties with Europe.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:
Dropping jet development would be akin to scrapping Spitfire in 1930s, MPs told
Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:20
Salma Ouaguira
Britain withdrawing from developing next-generation fighter jets would be the equivalent of scrapping the Spitfire programme in the 1930s, according to the shadow defence secretary.
Conservative frontbencher James Cartlidge questioned the new Labour Government’s commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) amid concerns its immediate funding is in doubt.
The GCAP brings together the UK, Italy and Japan to work on delivering next generation combat aircraft in 2035.
The planes will be known as Tempest in the UK and serve as a successor to the RAF Typhoon.
On Wednesday, MPs approved legislation which Foreign Office minister Catherine West said would provide the legal framework for the programme, adding it did not include specific funding recommendations.
The new Government is conducting a strategic defence review although Mr Cartlidge raised concerns about the impact it could have on Tempest development.
Mr Cartlidge told the Commons: “Alongside this SI (statutory instrument), we need the Government to wholeheartedly back the GCAP programme, ensuring that it has the funding necessary to deliver our sixth generation fighter capability.”
Every child should have access to support, Labour MP says
Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:01
Jabed Ahmed
Every child should have access to support regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with a condition, Labour MP Olivia Blake said.
The MP for Sheffield Hallam told the Commons: “It’s right that we aim to reduce the reliance on EHCPs (education, health and care plans). Every child should have the opportunities they need, whether or not they have a diagnoses, formally or not.
“We also need to see action to make sure that people do get those diagnoses which are so, so important.
“Especially for young girls and women who often have to wait – like I did – until their late 20s or 30s, or sometimes 50s and 60s, to get the diagnosis of why they’ve been struggling their entire lives.”
Ms Blake previously revealed she has been diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Who are the seven Labour MPs suspended by Keir Starmer?
Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:00
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Yvette Cooper accused of running for the hills after ditching TV interview day after whip removed from seven MPs
Wednesday 24 July 2024 16:50
Salma Ouaguira
Keir Starmer accused of ‘authoritarian control-freakery’ over two-child benefit cap rebellion
Wednesday 24 July 2024 16:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “authoritarian control-freakery” after suspending seven LabourMPs for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
The prime minister removed the whip from long-standing figures including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell after they rebelled against the government to back an SNP-led amendment to scrap the policy.
As backlash against the Labour leader grows, a member of the party’s governing national executive committee said the move “does not benefit him, the party or anyone in the long-run”.
But a political spokesperson from Downing Street confirmed today that the action had been taken “ because they rebelled against the King’s speech - the party’s programme for government - which is a serious matter.”
The spokesperson denied that the move would set a precedent for all rebellions and Downing Street confirmed that lifting the cap is something a review into child poverty will be able to consider.
German security pact should be first step in UK joining new EU military, says former defence minister
Wednesday 24 July 2024 16:28
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report from out political editor David Maddox:
Labour adviser says long-term sick should be forced into work
Wednesday 24 July 2024 16:20
Salma Ouaguira
A health adviser to the Labour government has said the long-term sick must be forced to look for jobs to cut welfare costs and reduce the UK’s reliance on immigration.
Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who has been brought in by the party to advise on NHS reform, said seven in 10 economically inactive people want to work but few are required to or have the help to do so.
He called for fundamental reform of a “crazy” system.
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell has the full story:
Watch: Kamala Harris not among ‘brilliant American women in politics’, says Liz Truss
Wednesday 24 July 2024 16:10
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer defends proposal to impose VAT on private schools
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:58
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer said he will not apologise for his plans to impose VAT on private schools, after he was challenged on the proposal during his first Prime Minister’s Questions.
As he defended the policy, the Prime Minister argued that every parent has aspirations for their children no matter which school they go to.
It came in response to Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, who claimed state schools in her constituency of Edinburgh West would be put under pressure by the proposal.
Sir Keir said: “I do obviously understand the aspiration that parents who work hard and save hard have for their children that they send to private school.
“But every parent has that aspiration, whichever school they go to.
“And I am determined that we will have the right teachers in place in our state secondary schools to ensure that every child, wherever they come from, whatever their background, has the same opportunity, and I do not apologise for that.”
Labour MP Long-Bailey breaks silence after being suspended
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:58
Salma Ouaguira
Rebecca Long-Bailey has broken her silence after being suspended by Sir Keir Starmer for rebelling on the two-child benefit cap.
The Labour MP for Salford said she voted for the amendment to “lift hundreds of thousands of children across the country out of poverty”.
Despite rebelling against her party, she vowed to support the King’s Speech and the government pledges to create breakfast clubs and a new child poverty task force.
In a statement, the former shadow minister said: “As an MP in Salford, where 44.7% of children live in poverty with some wards closer to 60%, I urged the Government in the King’s Speech debate to scrap the two-child limit on Universal Credit.
“I support the King’s Speech and support the government pledges to roll out breakfast clubs and to instigate a child poverty task force. I am gravely concerned however that this will take considerable time to pass through the relevant stages of consultation and indeed into final legislation.
“That’s why I voted in favor scrapping the two-child limit.”
She added: “I am deeply saddened to have had the whip suspended for six months. As a strict matter of conscience, on this occasion I felt I must speak for my constituents who have no voice in the hope that the government urgently helps them on this issue. I will continue to work with the government and colleagues to help the constituents I represent.”
Watch: Sunak jokes Team GB won’t take winning tips from him at Paris Olympics
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:48
Salma Ouaguira
Suspended MP accuses Labour of offering domestic abuse support to back two-child benefit cap
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:41
Salma Ouaguira
Apsana Begum has accused the Labour Party of offering her support on domestic abuse violence if she voted with Sir Keir Starmer to back the two-child benefit bill.
The MP for Poplar and Limehouse claimed she was left “shocked” by the way she was treated by her party.
Speaking on Sky News: “That is unacceptable. That demonstrates I think the way in which that draconian stance was taken in regards to the scrapping of the two-child limit.”
Ms Begum added: “Many of my colleagues are quite surprised in the way in which the operations took place yesterday around the vote.
“I myself was quite shocked and surprised to see the way in which I was treated. I had a very difficult election. I had an election in which many people said to me ‘we are happy to support you as an individual but we find it very hard to support Labour at this time’. For a number of different reasons.
“But one of the reasons is that we don’t see a difference between the two main parties in parliament.
“I had to contend with that and with the fact I am a survivor of domestic abuse and coercive control, unfortunately I had my ex husband standing against me.”
Benn urged to ‘rebuild strained EU relations’ after Brexit disruption
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:40
Salma Ouaguira
Labour MP Emily Darlington urged Hilary Benn to “rebuild strained relations” with the European Union, warning that businesses in her local constituency have struggled to survive in the wake of Brexit.
The MP for Milton Keynes Central asked the secretary of state for Northern Ireland to engage with the Irish Government as part of an attempt to reduce barriers to trade.
Asked about his plans to repair relations with Europe, the Labour frontbencher admitted that Brexit had brought “additional costs and paperwork for businesses”.
But Mr Benn also defended the Windsor Framework, an agreement signed by the previous Conservative government to reduce trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the EU, dubbing it an “important and significant step forward”.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
PM welcomes Eluned Morgan as new Welsh Labour leader
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:24
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Eluned Morgan as Welsh Labour leader.
Ms Morgan has won support of almost all of Labour’s members in the Welsh parliament to replace Vaughan Gething.
Praising her candidacy, the PM said: “Eluned’s election as Welsh Labour leader and candidacy for first minister is fantastic news for Wales and for the Labour Party.
“Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and a track record of delivery, and as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history.
“Just three weeks ago, people across Wales voted overwhelmingly for a changed Labour Party to lead a Government in Westminster.
“We have a been given a strong mandate to deliver change for working people, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Eluned to deliver on our promises to Wales and Britain.”
Congratulations to Eluned Morgan, Welsh Labour’s newly elected leader.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 24, 2024
Eluned brings a wealth of experience and track-record of delivery — as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history.
I look forward to working with Eluned to deliver change for Wales.
Eluned Morgan ‘truly honoured’ to be Welsh Labour leader
Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:24
Salma Ouaguira
Baroness Eluned Morgan has been confirmed as leader of Welsh Labour after a campaign in which only she stood in.
After her appointment was confirmed, she said: “I am truly honoured to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and to be put forward as our party’s nominee to become the next first minister of Wales.
“At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability, and unity will be my guiding principles. I want to ensure that everyone in Wales has the opportunity and ability to fulfil their potential.”
Ms Morgan added: “Through my leadership, Wales – and what is best for our country – will always come above all else.”
