Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent push for welfare cuts has sparked significant dissent within the Labour Party, marking one of the most challenging moments of his leadership.
UK Prime Minister Faces Major Uproar Over Welfare Reform Vote
UK Prime Minister Faces Major Uproar Over Welfare Reform Vote
Keir Starmer's leadership is tested as Labour MPs rebel against welfare cuts aimed at reducing social support costs.
On Tuesday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer grappled with a significant parliamentary uprising, facing the largest rebellion since he assumed office a year ago. This internal discord arose over the proposed changes to the social welfare system that sought to tighten eligibility requirements for disabled individuals, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands across Britain.
Despite securing a parliamentary victory with a vote tally of 335 to 260, Starmer’s leadership has been notably weakened. The dissent came from within his own party, where over 120 Labour lawmakers signaled their willingness to derail the legislation unless amendments were made. In response, the government conceded, limiting the changes to apply only to new claimants. This adjustment drastically reduced the projected savings from £4.8 billion to only £2 billion ($2.7 billion) annually by 2030, complicating budgetary expectations for Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The low support for the bill, with merely 335 out of more than 400 Labour Members of Parliament backing it, signifies an alarming trend for Starmer. Nevertheless, having made several strategic concessions, he now aims to advance the bill through the remaining stages of the House of Commons next week. The fierce debate surrounding welfare cuts in the UK contrasts sharply with the situation in the U.S., where bipartisan resistance against significant cuts in food benefits appears muted, highlighting evolving political landscapes in both nations.
