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The government, recently elected with a majority of 158, expectedly defeated a Conservative plan to halt cuts to the winter fuel allowance this afternoon. (Full background and context here).
MPs rejected the Conservative motion by 348 to 228 (a majority of 120), with only Labour representatives voting in “No” lobby. Parliamentarians from all other parties — Conservative, Lib Dem, SNP, etc — voted against the proposed cuts, following a tense 90-minute debate.
Prosecuting the Conservative Party’s case was leadership hopeful Mel Stride, who urged Labour MPs to “look to your conscience” and vote to stop the cut to winter fuel payments.
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“You know in your heart that the party opposite has broken their promises and that these measures are going to lead to untold hardship for millions”, Stride asserted. Watch his contribution here.
But not all Labour MPs backed the government over its winter fuel stance. Left-wing backbencher Rachel Maskell, a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, led the charge from the backbenches, calling on ministers to delay the introduction of the measure to allow for a rethink. Watch Maskell’s full speech here.
The minister on duty supplied a familiar defence. Speaking from the government despatch box, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall insisted making winter fuel payments means-tested was a “difficult decision”, adding: “We must fix the foundations of our economy as the first step to rebuilding Britain and making the changes our country desperately needs and because when money is tight our priority must be to target resources on those who need it most.”
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In total, 53 Labour MPs did not record a vote this afternoon. Now, this does not mean that all 53 abstained — as some will have been “paired” with Conservative MPs unable to make the vote. However, among the number abstaining included Maskell and several other critics of the government’s plans, such as fellow left-wingers Diane Abbott and Andy McDonald. It therefore seems likely that dozens of Labour MPs — including some newly elected ones — opted not to back the winter fuel allowance cuts.
That said, only one Labour rebel voted for the Conservative motion this afternoon. That was veteran left-winger Jon Trickett. He has since released a statement, declaring: “I will sleep well tonight knowing that I voted to defend my constituents.”
But this is without mentioning those independent MPs — including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell — who were deprived of the Labour whip after backing an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech in July. That faultline concerned Labour’s decision to keep the controversial two-child benefit cap.
Of these independents, McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Zarah Sultana and Apsana Begum all voted for the Conservative motion — likely extending, perhaps permanently, their stay as political exiles.
Lunchtime briefing
Two former Patel supporters endorse James Cleverly ahead of leadership vote
Lunchtime soundbite
‘I just voted against the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments. I cannot stand idly by and see austerity 2.0 implemented. This is not the change people voted for.’
— Zarah Sultana, a Labour MP currently suspended over a previous rebellion, accuses the government of pursuing “Austerity 2.0”.
Now try this…
‘Badenoch, Cleverly, and Tugendhat lead our Shadow Cabinet League Table’
From ConservativeHome.
‘Chancellor faces down would-be rebels ahead of winter fuel payment vote’
Via The Guardian.
‘Badenoch risks dropping to third in Tory leadership race, fear supporters’
The Telegraph reports. (Paywall)
On this day in 2021:
