Four suspended Labour MPs let back into party after conduct review
Four Labor MPs – Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman and Rachael Maskell – have had their whips returned after being suspended for repeated rebellions against the government.
The backbenchers were suspended from office after all four voted against Labour’s welfare reforms, as part of a wider rebellion that led to the changes being delayed in July.
Ms Maskell, MP for York Central, claimed she was suspended from office for “defending my constituents” over the plans.
But on Friday, the whip was restored to four MPs after a review of their recent behavior as the party faced division over failure to deliver on manifesto promises on tax rises ahead of the budget.
All but York Central MP Ms Maskell were first elected at last year’s election.
Newly elected Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell has called on the Government not to raise taxes in the upcoming Budget, amid speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is preparing to do so.
In an interview with the BBC, Ms Powell said the Government “must follow through” on its manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT.
His warning that such a move could damage “confidence in politics” follows comments from Ms Reeves this week, which raised expectations of a rise in the basic income tax rate in her November 26 statement.
Ministers also continue to feel anger from Labor supporters over measures to improve living standards.
Richard Burgon (Leeds East) and Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) are among those who recently used House of Commons questions to call for the two-child allowance limit to be scrapped.
