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Labour leader Harriet Harman faces welfare bill revolt Labour leader Harriet Harman faces welfare bill revolt
(about 11 hours later)
Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman is facing a revolt after ordering the party's MPs not to vote against the government's welfare bill later.Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman is facing a revolt after ordering the party's MPs not to vote against the government's welfare bill later.
Scores of Labour MPs are expected to defy an instruction to abstain on the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children.Scores of Labour MPs are expected to defy an instruction to abstain on the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children.
Three of the four leadership contenders have also questioned her approach.Three of the four leadership contenders have also questioned her approach.
But Chancellor George Osborne has written in the Guardian praising Ms Harman's stance as "a step forward".But Chancellor George Osborne has written in the Guardian praising Ms Harman's stance as "a step forward".
'Blaming the public'
The Labour leadership originally said it would not oppose the benefit changes announced by the government in the Budget, which aim to bring £12bn worth of cuts into force by 2020.The Labour leadership originally said it would not oppose the benefit changes announced by the government in the Budget, which aim to bring £12bn worth of cuts into force by 2020.
But many in the Labour party objected, with leadership candidates Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Jeremy Corbyn among those to criticise the plan. Only the fourth candidate, Liz Kendall, supported the move. But many in the Labour Party objected, with leadership candidates Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Jeremy Corbyn among those to criticise the plan. Only the fourth candidate, Liz Kendall, supported the move.
Ms Harman tried to quell the revolt by tabling an amendment to the Welfare Reform and Work Bill setting out measures Labour backs and those it would change.Ms Harman tried to quell the revolt by tabling an amendment to the Welfare Reform and Work Bill setting out measures Labour backs and those it would change.
It offers support for the cutting household welfare cap to £20,000 a year (£23,000 in London), and moving mortgage support from grants to loans.It offers support for the cutting household welfare cap to £20,000 a year (£23,000 in London), and moving mortgage support from grants to loans.
But it opposes the abolition of child poverty targets and changes to Employment and Support Allowance. It makes no mention of the child tax credit change.But it opposes the abolition of child poverty targets and changes to Employment and Support Allowance. It makes no mention of the child tax credit change.
Ms Harman said if the amendment was rejected, Labour MPs would be expected to abstain in the vote - leaving the way clear for the bill to be passed. 'Blaming the public'
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the move had infuriated a large number of Labour MPs and that 60 had signed a rival amendment opposing the changes. Ms Harman said if the amendment was rejected, Labour MPs would be expected to abstain in a subsequent vote on the general principles of the bill, leaving the way clear for it to be passed at Second Reading.
He said Mr Osborne's intervention in the Guardian would add to Ms Harman's discomfort. BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the move had infuriated a large number of Labour MPs and that 60 had signed a rival amendment tabled by MP Helen Goodman opposing the changes.
Mr Osborne praised the acting Labour leader, saying: "She recognised that oppositions only advance when they stop blaming the public for their defeat and recognise that some of the arguments made by political opponents should be listened to - just as a previous Conservative opposition realised 15 years ago when it accepted the case for a minimum wage." "Having pointed out what is wrong with the Bill, it seems to me only logical, if her motion doesn't succeed, which it is unlikely to do, that we vote against the Bill in its entirety," Ms Goodman told the BBC.
Shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said the party would fight "tooth and nail" to oppose those parts of the bill it disagreed with but added that there were things it could support and urged colleagues to remain "united" in Monday's votes.
New Lib Dem leader
Writing in the Guardian, Mr Osborne praised the acting Labour leader. "She recognised that oppositions only advance when they stop blaming the public for their defeat and recognise that some of the arguments made by political opponents should be listened to - just as a previous Conservative opposition realised 15 years ago when it accepted the case for a minimum wage."
He said the benefit changes were in line with the views of most Labour voters and were a continuation of policies pursued by former Labour ministers.He said the benefit changes were in line with the views of most Labour voters and were a continuation of policies pursued by former Labour ministers.
"I believe this settlement represents the new centre of British politics, and appeal to progressive MPs on all sides to support us," he said."I believe this settlement represents the new centre of British politics, and appeal to progressive MPs on all sides to support us," he said.
The SNP and the Liberal Democrats, under their new leader Tim Farron, have said they will vote against the bill while Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has also said she will oppose it.
However, with the government having a majority of 12 in the Commons, the bill is still expected to pass its first parliamentary hurdle.