Sir Keir Starmer has been condemned by a Labour MP after it emerged his whips have warned last week’s winter fuel payment rebels that their careers will be held back as a result of their actions.
A Labour MP has accused Sir Keir of behaving in a “feudal” manner, after the Labour Party whips set out that anyone who failed to back Rachel Reeves’ plans last week will now be punished.
Despite mass outrage within the party towards the planned welfare cuts this Christmas, Labour managed to stave off a humiliating rebellion.
Just one MP, John Trickett, voted against the changes, while around 50 abstained.
Following the vote, a Labour source insisted that of these 50 just 12 had not been ‘slipped’ (given permission to miss the vote), and would therefore have action taken against them.
Sir Keir has responded to last week’s Winter Fuel rebellion (Image: Getty)
In a letter to the rebels, Government whips have now dealt warnings that the MPs’ future behaviour is being ‘monitored’, and said they will be denied privileges.
This includes losing any potential help to secure places on House of Commons select committees.
It has also emerged that whips warned Labour MPs they were not allowed to discuss the Winter Fuel vote nor its aftermath with journalists.
One of the rebel MPs has now blasted his party’s response to the row, telling the Guardian that the government has misjudged the depth of anger around the policy.
They slammed: “Quite frankly, the letter is feudal and completely misplaced when people are abstaining to protect very vulnerable people.”
Chief Whip Alan Campbell has warned rebels they will lose privileges (Image: Getty)
While the MPs have been warned their careers may now be put on ice as a result of their rebellion, the response is notably less harsh than that following the King’s Speech rebellion when seven MPs were kicked out of the party for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
A Government spokesperson later said that the particularly brutal reprisal had been as a result of the MPs rebelling against a King’s speech, “which is a serious matter”.
At the time they denied the decision would set a precedent for future rebellions.
While Labour pushed the claim only 12 MPs had failed to vote, it’s believed the number of rebels was in fact much higher.
However whips allowed them to miss the vote and go AWOL, in order to reduce the size of the perceived rebellion.
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Tory blasts Keir Starmer as VAT plans ‘published’ before MPs even get a say
Keir Starmer’s Government has been blasted for (Image: Getty)
A top Tory has blasted Sir Keir Starmer’s Government after he says it “secretly launched” information without MPs so much as getting a say.
Stuart Andrew, the Opposition’s Chief Whip, said he was “very concerned” about details published that he claimed were not mentioned to fellow MPs.
The technical note, draft legislation and accompanying explanatory note that went live on the Gov.uk website concerns the controversial Labour decision to impose 20% VAT on private schools.
The Conservative MP for Daventry said he and colleagues found out less than 24 hours before the deadline to collect views on the matter.
However, the Treasury told Express.co.uk that the Exchequer Secretary made a written statement on July 29 saying the Government would be publishing the information and that a “technical consultation” on the legislation would last until September 15. It also said the final policy design would be confirmed at the October 30 Budget.
In a tweet, Mr Andrew said: “Very concerned to discover that a technical note on the VAT and business rates changes affecting private schools has been secretly launched by the Government, without any mention to MPs.”
Mr Andrew said “it is clear they are trying to do this quietly” and “limit the scope of those who can respond”, adding: “We should not be quiet.”
However, the Gov.uk website also states the HM Treasury policy paper was launched on the website back in July.
The opening paragraphs on the technical note said: “The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education.
“To do this, the Government is ending tax breaks for private schools, helping to raise revenue to fund state education priorities.
The information related to the Government’s decision to impose VAT on private schools (Image: Getty)
“The Government believes in parental choice, but is also determined to fulfil the aspiration of every parent to get the best education for their child.
“Around 94% of school children in the UK attend state schools and ending the tax breaks on VAT and business rates for private schools is a tough but necessary decision that will secure additional funding to help deliver the Government’s commitments relating to education and young people.”
Meanwhile in a significant blow, the plan to impose VAT on private school fees is facing a High Court legal challenge, with claims that it breaches human rights laws.
Lawyers argue the policy, a key part of Labour’s tax proposals, discriminates against children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The legal challenge, lead by Sinclairslaw, claims that families with SEND children could be forced out of private schools due to higher fees, leaving them to rely on a state education system that is ill-equipped to handle their more complex needs.
