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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Welfare cuts backed amid Labour revolt | Welfare cuts backed amid Labour revolt |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MPs have backed government plans for £12bn in welfare cuts, but acting Labour leader Harriet Harman suffered a significant rebellion in the vote. | MPs have backed government plans for £12bn in welfare cuts, but acting Labour leader Harriet Harman suffered a significant rebellion in the vote. |
| The Commons backed the Welfare Reform and Work Bill by 308 to 124 votes. | The Commons backed the Welfare Reform and Work Bill by 308 to 124 votes. |
| Forty-eight Labour MPs defied orders to abstain and instead voted against the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children. | Forty-eight Labour MPs defied orders to abstain and instead voted against the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children. |
| Rebels included leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn and London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and David Lammy. | Rebels included leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn and London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and David Lammy. |
| Of the 53 Labour MPs first elected to Parliament in May, 18 opposed the bill. | Of the 53 Labour MPs first elected to Parliament in May, 18 opposed the bill. |
| During a five-hour debate, Labour MP John McDonnell said he would "swim through vomit" to oppose the legislation. | During a five-hour debate, Labour MP John McDonnell said he would "swim through vomit" to oppose the legislation. |
| However, a Labour amendment seeking to derail the legislation was defeated by 308 votes to 208. | However, a Labour amendment seeking to derail the legislation was defeated by 308 votes to 208. |
| Ms Harman has faced criticism for her stance, with many MPs saying she should have been more outspoken in her opposition to curbs on child tax credits and cuts to other in-work benefits. | Ms Harman has faced criticism for her stance, with many MPs saying she should have been more outspoken in her opposition to curbs on child tax credits and cuts to other in-work benefits. |
| Mr Corbyn's three Labour leadership rivals - Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall - followed Ms Harman's lead and abstained. | Mr Corbyn's three Labour leadership rivals - Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall - followed Ms Harman's lead and abstained. |
| Reacting to the vote, Labour MP Diane Abbott tweeted: "Just voted against Tory welfare bill. Sorry for colleagues who knew it was wrong but abstained. We weren't sent to Parliament to abstain." | Reacting to the vote, Labour MP Diane Abbott tweeted: "Just voted against Tory welfare bill. Sorry for colleagues who knew it was wrong but abstained. We weren't sent to Parliament to abstain." |
| Conservative MP and chief secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands tweeted: "47 Labour rebels on welfare tonight. Huge. Biggest Labour rebellion for some time. Leadership crisis without actually having a Leader!" | Conservative MP and chief secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands tweeted: "47 Labour rebels on welfare tonight. Huge. Biggest Labour rebellion for some time. Leadership crisis without actually having a Leader!" |
| BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said things could not be much worse for Labour, with a fifth of the party openly defying the leadership and many more "deeply unhappy". | BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said things could not be much worse for Labour, with a fifth of the party openly defying the leadership and many more "deeply unhappy". |
| He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the split ran "right up through the party, to the shadow cabinet". | He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the split ran "right up through the party, to the shadow cabinet". |
| The vote showed about half of the new intake were "well to the left of the mainstream", which tells us that the gravitational pull of the party is not back to the centre, but to the left, he added. | The vote showed about half of the new intake were "well to the left of the mainstream", which tells us that the gravitational pull of the party is not back to the centre, but to the left, he added. |
| He said one of Ms Harman's aides had told him that whoever takes over as party leader has a "hell of a job on their hands". | He said one of Ms Harman's aides had told him that whoever takes over as party leader has a "hell of a job on their hands". |
| 'Nauseating' | 'Nauseating' |
| But Mr Corbyn said the revolt had "strengthened" Labour's position against the Conservatives. | But Mr Corbyn said the revolt had "strengthened" Labour's position against the Conservatives. |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme society ought to be "deeply concerned" about child poverty and deprivation levels. | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme society ought to be "deeply concerned" about child poverty and deprivation levels. |
| Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett, who also served as work and pensions secretary, said the party was in "emotional trauma", and was "not debating enough about where we go from here". | Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett, who also served as work and pensions secretary, said the party was in "emotional trauma", and was "not debating enough about where we go from here". |
| "Last night again focused on us being divided," he said, adding that the Welfare Bill was "clearly not a moment for setting out the alternative". | "Last night again focused on us being divided," he said, adding that the Welfare Bill was "clearly not a moment for setting out the alternative". |
| MPs who won their seats in May were "very lucky" and should ask themselves "why others didn't", he added. | MPs who won their seats in May were "very lucky" and should ask themselves "why others didn't", he added. |
| Analysis by Ross Hawkins, BBC political correspondent | |
| First Harriet Harman took a stand - saying Labour had to wake up and listen to voters on welfare. | |
| Then she compromised - tabling an amendment designed to sidestep a row. And then almost 50 rebels ignored her instructions. | |
| Were she Labour's permanent leader, her authority would be in tatters. | |
| But it's not about her; she'll be gone by the autumn. | |
| The real question is: could any of her would-be successors persuade the party that welfare must be reformed now? | |
| Would they want, or dare, to try? | |
| The bill, which also seeks to lower the overall household benefit cap from £26,000 a year to £20,000 outside of London, and £23,000 in London, as well as to train a further three million apprentices, has now cleared its first parliamentary hurdle and will move on to more detailed scrutiny. | The bill, which also seeks to lower the overall household benefit cap from £26,000 a year to £20,000 outside of London, and £23,000 in London, as well as to train a further three million apprentices, has now cleared its first parliamentary hurdle and will move on to more detailed scrutiny. |
| In a passionate debate, Conservative MPs lined up to support the measures. | In a passionate debate, Conservative MPs lined up to support the measures. |
| As well as Labour MPs who did not support the bill, it was opposed by the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. | As well as Labour MPs who did not support the bill, it was opposed by the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. |
| Mr McDonnell said: "I would swim through vomit to vote against this bill and listening to some of the nauseating speeches tonight I think we might have to. | Mr McDonnell said: "I would swim through vomit to vote against this bill and listening to some of the nauseating speeches tonight I think we might have to. |
| "Poverty in my constituency is not a lifestyle choice, it is imposed upon people. | "Poverty in my constituency is not a lifestyle choice, it is imposed upon people. |
| "We hear lots about how high the welfare bill is, let's understand why that's the case. | "We hear lots about how high the welfare bill is, let's understand why that's the case. |
| "The housing benefit bill is so high because for generations we've failed to build council houses, we've failed to control rents, we've done nothing about the 300,000 properties that stand empty in this country." | "The housing benefit bill is so high because for generations we've failed to build council houses, we've failed to control rents, we've done nothing about the 300,000 properties that stand empty in this country." |
| SNP employment spokeswoman Hannah Bardell said it was "disgraceful" that Labour had not joined her party in opposing the bill. | |
| "Labour had the perfect opportunity to join the SNP in a progressive coalition to oppose the Tories - but with some honourable exceptions they sat on their hands," she said. | |
| Tim Farron, in his first Commons speech as Liberal Democrat leader, said his party was voting against the "unfair, unwise and inhuman" proposals. | |
| Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was beset by "internal fear and loathing" and that the bill would put welfare funding on a "more sustainable footing" while protecting those most in need. | Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was beset by "internal fear and loathing" and that the bill would put welfare funding on a "more sustainable footing" while protecting those most in need. |
| Speaking after the vote, he said: "Nearly 50 Labour MPs have defied their leadership and opposed our welfare reforms which will move our country from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society. | Speaking after the vote, he said: "Nearly 50 Labour MPs have defied their leadership and opposed our welfare reforms which will move our country from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society. |
| "It's clear that Labour are still the same old anti-worker party - just offering more welfare, more borrowing and more taxes." | "It's clear that Labour are still the same old anti-worker party - just offering more welfare, more borrowing and more taxes." |
| MPs who voted against the bill | MPs who voted against the bill |
| Abbott, Diane - Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington | |
| Abrahams, Debbie - Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth | |
| Ahmed-Sheikh, Tasmina - SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire | |
| Anderson, David - Labour MP for Blaydon | |
| Arkless, Richard - SNP MP for Dumfries and Galloway | |
| Bardell, Hannah - SNP MP for Livingston | |
| Black, Mhairi - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South | |
| Blackford, Ian - SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber | |
| Blackman, Kirsty - SNP MP for Aberdeen North | |
| Boswell, Philip - SNP MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | |
| Brake, Tom - Lib Dem MP for Carshalton and Wallington | |
| Brock, Deidre - SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith | |
| Brown, Alan - SNP MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun | |
| Burgon, Richard - Labour MP for Leeds East | |
| Butler, Dawn - Labour MP for Brent Central | |
| Cameron, Dr Lisa - SNP MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow | |
| Campbell, Gregory - DUP MP for East Londonderry | |
| Carmichael, Alistair - Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland | |
| Chapman, Douglas - SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife | |
| Cherry, Joanna - SNP MP for Edinburgh South West | |
| Clegg, Nick - Lib Dem MP for Sheffield Hallam | |
| Clwyd, Ann - Labour MP for Cynon Valley | |
| Corbyn, Jeremy - Labour MP for Islington North | |
| Cowan, Ronnie - SNP MP for Inverclyde | |
| Crawley, Angela - SNP MP for Lanark and Hamilton East | |
| Davies, Geraint - Labour MP for Swansea West | |
| Day, Martyn - SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk | |
| Docherty, Martin John - SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire | |
| Dodds, Nigel - DUP MP for Belfast North | |
| Donaldson, Jeffrey M - DUP MP for Lagan Valley | |
| Donaldson, Stuart - SNP MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine | |
| Dowd, Peter - Labour MP for Bootle | |
| Durkan, Mark - SDLP MP for Foyle | |
| Edwards, Jonathan - Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr | |
| Farron, Tim - Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale | |
| Fellows, Marion - SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw | |
| Ferrier, Margaret - SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West | |
| Flynn, Paul - Labour MP for Newport West | |
| Gethins, Stephen - SNP MP for North East Fife | |
| Gibson, Patricia - SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran | |
| Glindon, Mary - Labour MP for North Tyneside | |
| Godsiff, Roger - Labour MP for Birmingham, Hall Green | |
| Goodman, Helen - Labour MP for Bishop Auckland | |
| Grady, Patrick - SNP MP for Glasgow North | |
| Grant, Peter - SNP MP for Glenrothes | |
| Gray, Neil - SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts | |
| Greenwood, Margaret - Labour MP for Wirral West | |
| Haigh, Louise - Labour MP for Sheffield, Heeley | |
| Harris, Carolyn - Labour MP for Swansea East | |
| Hayman, Sue - Labour MP for Workington | |
| Hendry, Drew - SNP MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey | |
| Hosie, Stewart - SNP MP for Dundee East | |
| Hussain, Imran - Labour MP for Bradford East | |
| Jones, Gerald - Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney | |
| Jones, Helen - Labour MP for Warrington North | |
| Kaufman, Sir Gerald - Labour MP for Manchester Gorton | |
| Kerevan, George - SNP MP for East Lothian | |
| Kerr, Calum - SNP MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk | |
| Khan, Sadiq - Labour MP for Tooting | |
| Kinahan, Danny - UUP MP for South Antrim | |
| Lamb, Norman - Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk | |
| Lammy, David - Labour MP for Tottenham | |
| Lavery, Ian - Labour MP for Wansbeck | |
| Law, Chris - SNP MP for Dundee West | |
| Lewis, Clive - Labour MP for Norwich South | |
| Long Bailey, Rebecca - Labour MP for Salford and Eccles | |
| Lucas, Caroline - Green MP for Brighton, Pavilion | |
| MacNeil, Angus Brendan - SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar | |
| Marris, Rob - Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West | |
| Maskell, Rachael - Labour MP for York Central | |
| Mc Nally, John - SNP MP for Falkirk | |
| McCaig, Callum - SNP MP for Aberdeen South | |
| McDonald, Andy - Labour MP for Middlesbrough | |
| McDonald, Stewart - SNP MP for Glasgow South | |
| McDonald, Stuart C - SNP MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East | |
| McDonnell, Dr Alasdair - SDLP MP for Belfast South | |
| McDonnell, John - Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington | |
| McGarry, Natalie - SNP MP for Glasgow East | |
| McInnes, Liz - Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton | |
| McLaughlin, Anne - SNP MP for Glasgow North East | |
| Meacher, Michael - Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton | |
| Mearns, Ian - Labour MP for Gateshead | |
| Monaghan, Carol - SNP MP for Glasgow North West | |
| Monaghan, Dr Paul - SNP MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross | |
| Moon, Madeleine - Labour MP for Bridgend | |
| Morris, Grahame M - Labour MP for Easington | |
| Mulholland, Greg - Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West | |
| Mullin, Roger - SNP MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath | |
| Newlands, Gavin - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North | |
| Nicolson, John - SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire | |
| O'Hara, Brendan - SNP MP for Argyll and Bute | |
| Osamor, Kate - Labour MP for Edmonton | |
| Oswald, Kirsten - SNP MP for East Renfrewshire | |
| Paisley, Ian - DUP MP for North Antrim | |
| Paterson, Steven - SNP MP for Stirling | |
| Pearce, Teresa - Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead | |
| Pugh, John - Lib Dem MP for Southport | |
| Rimmer, Marie - Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston | |
| Ritchie, Margaret - SDLP MP for South Down | |
| Robertson, Angus - SNP MP for Moray | |
| Salmond, Alex - SNP MP for Gordon | |
| Saville Roberts, Liz - Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd | |
| Shannon, Jim - DUP MP for Strangford | |
| Sheppard, Tommy - SNP MP for Edinburgh East | |
| Sherriff, Paula - Labour MP for Dewsbury | |
| Siddiq, Tulip - Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn | |
| Skinner, Dennis - Labour MP for Bolsover | |
| Smith, Cat - Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood | |
| Stephens, Chris - SNP MP for Glasgow South West | |
| Stevens, Jo - Labour MP for Cardiff Central | |
| Stringer, Graham - Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton | |
| Thewliss, Alison - SNP MP for Glasgow Central | |
| Thomson, Michelle - SNP MP for Edinburgh West | |
| Weir, Mike - SNP MP for Angus | |
| Whiteford, Dr Eilidh - SNP MP for Banff and Buchan | |
| Whitford, Dr Philippa - SNP MP for Central Ayrshire | |
| Williams, Hywel - Plaid Cymru MP for Argon | |
| Williams, Mr Mark - Lib Dem MP for Ceredigion | |
| Wilson, Corri - SNP MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | |
| Wilson, Sammy - DUP MP for East Antrim | |
| Winnick, David - Labour MP for Walsall North | |
| Wishart, Pete - SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire | |
| Wright, Iain - Labour MP for Hartlepool | |
| Zeichner, Daniel - Labour MP for Cambridge |