Members of Keir Starmer’s Cabinet have launched a late‐stage charm offensive to win over Labour backbenchers threatening to derail the government’s flagship welfare reforms next week. With over 100 MPs already signed up to a reasoned amendment designed to halt the bill, ministers are resorting to personal calls, text messages—and what one rebel MP calls “flattery and begging”—in a bid to secure votes.
What the Welfare Bill Proposes
The legislation under debate would remove eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from hundreds of thousands of disabled claimants. According to government projections, the change—timed for a vote in the House of Commons next Tuesday—could push up to 250,000 people into poverty, including some 50,000 children. The government argues that without these reforms, welfare spending will become unsustainable in the years ahead. In March, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall insisted the package would help “more people stay in work” and “return to work more quickly,” presenting it as a long‐term investment in both the economy and social mobility.
The Backbench Rebellion
Despite assurances from Number 10, more than 100 Labour MPs have signed a reasoned amendment aimed at blocking the bill’s passage. Key names include:
- Meg Hillier, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee
- Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee
- Debbie Abrahams, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee
- Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee
The rebellion presents a major headache: the Liberal Democrats are expected to vote against the bill, and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has indicated her party would only lend support if the government meets stringent conditions—conditions that appear non‐starters in Whitehall.
From Threats to Flattery
Early whipping tactics included veiled threats that a defeat could trigger a confidence motion and a snap general election. When that failed to sway enough rebels, the government shifted to direct appeals. MPs report receiving:
- Late‐night phone calls from Cabinet ministers
- Repeated WhatsApp messages extolling their “moderation and judgment”
- Invitations from senior figures like Matt Faulding to “reconsider” their positions
One Labour MP described the approach as “half‐arsed,” quipping that ministers had “given up on threats and moved to flattery and begging”—yet admitted “nothing they said changed anyone’s mind.” Some rebels say they’ve been offered meetings with Liz Kendall herself to discuss potential tweaks, but no real concessions have been tabled.
Internal Pressure and Resignations
The revolt has already claimed its first scalp: Vicky Foxcroft resigned from her role as a government whip, stating she could not be tasked with whipping votes for reforms that “cut disabled people’s incomes.” Rumours swirl of further resignations among junior ministers and parliamentary private secretaries if the bill proceeds unchanged. With whispers of a mini‐reshuffle on the horizon, Labour whips are under increasing strain to contain the revolt.
Voices from the Constituencies
London Mayor Sadiq Khan added fuel to the fire by publicly opposing the reforms. In a statement, he warned:
“These changes will destroy the financial safety net many vulnerable Londoners rely on. The government must urgently reconsider the severe hardship this would impose.”
His intervention underscores growing disquiet not only within Parliament but also among key city and regional stakeholders, raising questions about the wider social and economic impact of the bill.
Next Steps and Political Fallout
As the crucial vote approaches, Labour rebels remain unmoved by ministerial overtures. Number 10 insists the bill will proceed as scheduled, maintaining it is of “utmost importance” to public finances. Should the rebellion deny the government a majority, it may have little choice but to withdraw or dramatically revise the legislation—an outcome that would be deeply embarrassing for Sir Keir Starmer early in his premiership.
With trust and discipline tested to the limit, the welfare vote next week could mark a defining moment for the Labour leadership as well as the future of social policy in the United Kingdom.