One year ago, as cheering supporters waved union jacks to celebrate Labour’s election landslide, Keir Starmer walked into Downing Street with a promise: the country had voted “for change. For national renewal. And a return of politics to public service.” On Tuesday, his government will ask parliament to remove benefits from more than 1 million disabled and sick people.
You will have already heard much about the Westminster drama of the vote. More than 120 Labour MPs have signed an amendment aiming to kill the bill next week, with more still said to be joining, presumably fuelled by the sense this was not the “change” they were elected for. It has been a welcome relief to see such moral strength, with backbenchers and even a now former government whip dodging alleged threats of deselection to stand up for their constituents. Starmer says he will “press forward” with the cuts, describing the rebels as “noises off”, but behind the scenes No 10 is said to be desperately trying to get MPs – including frontbenchers – back in line.
