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The seven Labour MPs who faced suspension for rebelling against the two-child benefit cap are on the verge of having the party whip reinstated, pending their commitment to refrain from future dissent, according to insights from sources close to the party.
Among the suspended MPs, some, including prominent figures like John McDonnell, who served as shadow chancellor during Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure, may not regain the whip immediately. Party whips perceive these individuals as ongoing disruptors.
The suspension of these left-wing members occurred in July when they backed an amendment to the king’s speech aimed at abolishing the controversial two-child benefit cap. This action angered Downing Street, which believed it undermined the policy platform for which the MPs were elected.
Alongside McDonnell, other suspended MPs include Rebecca Long-Bailey, Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, and Zarah Sultana. Initially, they were barred from party activities for six months, after which their situations would be reevaluated.
Labour’s chief whip, Alan Campbell, has been engaging in individual consultations with the MPs, who have since been functioning as independent representatives in the Commons. They have been cautioned that their readmission to the Labour party will hinge on maintaining appropriate conduct.
A Labour source indicated that the fate of each MP will be assessed independently, noting that several have exacerbated their circumstances with recent behaviors.
Another senior party figure emphasized the importance of consistent proper behavior, stating, “They won’t get the whip back if they think they can behave themselves for two months and then start rebelling.”
As of last Friday, the six-month suspension period ended, during which McDonnell expressed optimism about the restoration of the whip. However, his involvement in a police interview after a pro-Palestine march may have complicated his return.
There are concerns that McDonnell could face permanent expulsion from the party, following a path similar to that of his predecessor in leadership, Jeremy Corbyn.
MP Sultana, representing Coventry South, is also expected to be excluded from re-admittance for the time being, particularly due to a recent appeal she made via social media, urging Starmer to terminate the government’s arms sales to Israel amid allegations of war crimes.
Burgon, the Leeds East MP, appears unlikely to regain his position soon as well, having used social media to express discontent with government policies post-suspension.
On the contrary, Long-Bailey, who has maintained a lower profile since her suspension, along with Ian Byrne from Liverpool West Derby, is anticipated to be among the first to be welcomed back into the party.
The rebellion against the king’s speech was perceived within Labour as a significant breach of discipline. Analysts previously suggested that this vote was akin to a confidence test for the governing body of the party.
A source within the party remarked that Burgon, McDonnell, and Sultana had become identified as agitators due to their noncompliance with party voting agreements and their public critiques of party policies, particularly regarding arms exports to Israel and the winter fuel allowance cuts.
This situation has been viewed as a demonstration of the party leadership’s authority, sending a strong signal to Labour backbenchers that adherence to party regulations is essential, with potential repercussions for those who fail to comply.
Criticism has emerged from within the party regarding the perceived “control freakery” of the leadership approach, with some arguing for a more inclusive stance that acknowledges the diverse voter base, which includes support for independents and Green party candidates.
The urgency surrounding the issue of the two-child limit was underscored by the fact that 42 Labour MPs chose to abstain from the vote, along with the seven dissenters, following intense warnings from various child poverty organizations about the detrimental effects of the policy on families.
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www.theguardian.com