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| Andy Burnham defends welfare vote approach | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Labour did not take a "strong enough position" over the government's Welfare Bill and is "crying out for leadership", Andy Burnham has said. | |
| But the leadership hopeful said he had agreed to abstain on the key vote because he was "not prepared to split the party". | |
| 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. |
| Almost 50 Labour rebels defied orders to abstain on plans including limiting child tax credit to two children. | |
| They included leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn and London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and David Lammy. | |
| The SNP said it was "disgraceful" that Labour had not joined it in opposing the bill - acting leader Harriet Harman had order Labour MPs to abstain in the final vote. | |
| Speaking on BBC Radio 4's The World at One, Mr Burnham, who was a critic of the plan to abstain, said he had persuaded Ms Harman to adopt a "compromise" position by putting forward a "reasoned amendment" opposing some of the bill's measures. | |
| That amendment, which would have derailed the legislation, was defeated by 308 votes to 208. | |
| "I still do not believe that that was a strong enough position," Mr Burnham said. "As leader I would have opposed this bill last night." | |
| But he added that he was "not prepared to split the party and make the job of opposition even harder... this is a party that's crying out for leadership." | |
| "That's what I have shown in recent days," he said. | |
| Analysis by Ross Hawkins, BBC political correspondent | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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? | 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? | Would they want, or dare, to try? |
| Read the full article | Read the full article |
| Ms Harman had 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. | |
| A total of 48 Labour MPs - including 18 who were elected in May - voted against the measures. | |
| Labour's work and pensions spokesman Stephen Timms told BBC Radio London the rebellion was "smaller than quite a lot of people expected", and included a number of MPs who regularly defy the party whip. | |
| He added: "There were also a number of newer members who broke the whip and I hope as we go into the summer recess they will conclude that they really want to be supporting our party's efforts to replace the current government rather than undermining them." | He added: "There were also a number of newer members who broke the whip and I hope as we go into the summer recess they will conclude that they really want to be supporting our party's efforts to replace the current government rather than undermining them." |
| But one of the new-intake rebels, Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens, told BBC News she did not agree, saying the bill, which include £12bn in welfare cuts, was focusing on working families. | But one of the new-intake rebels, Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens, told BBC News she did not agree, saying the bill, which include £12bn in welfare cuts, was focusing on working families. |
| She said she did not criticise any of her colleagues for the way they had voted but that there "may be a new approach" when a new leader is in place in September. | She said she did not criticise any of her colleagues for the way they had voted but that there "may be a new approach" when a new leader is in place in September. |
| Apart from Mr Corbyn, all the leadership contenders - Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall and Mr Burnham - followed Ms Harman's lead and abstained. | |
| Ms Stevens said they had "no choice" as they were bound by collective responsibility. | Ms Stevens said they had "no choice" as they were bound by collective responsibility. |
| Another new MP, Cat Smith, told the BBC's Daily Politics she had rebelled "with a heavy heart" after raising her concerns over the bill with the party leadership. | Another new MP, Cat Smith, told the BBC's Daily Politics she had rebelled "with a heavy heart" after raising her concerns over the bill with the party leadership. |
| "I felt I was not listened to so I did the only thing I thought I could do," she added. | "I felt I was not listened to so I did the only thing I thought I could do," she added. |
| Stephen Kinnock, who followed the party line and abstained, said Labour was "obviously on the back foot" and that the Conservatives were "setting the agenda". | Stephen Kinnock, who followed the party line and abstained, said Labour was "obviously on the back foot" and that the Conservatives were "setting the agenda". |
| "I hope that as we get a new leader we will be ready in 2016 to get back on the front foot," he added. | "I hope that as we get a new leader we will be ready in 2016 to get back on the front foot," he added. |
| Mr Corbyn denied he was fuelling a split in the Labour Party, saying the revolt had "strengthened" Labour's position against the Conservatives. | Mr Corbyn denied he was fuelling a split in the Labour Party, saying 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. |
| During Treasury Questions in the Commons, Chancellor George Osborne said a "new intake of old Labour MPs" were "dragging" the party "back to the 1980s". | |
| "We know the direction they are heading in - left, left, left - away from the centre ground of British politics and away from support for working people," he added. | |
| Ex-Labour cabinet minister David Blunkett 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. |
| 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. |
| SNP employment spokeswoman Hannah Bardell said: "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." | SNP employment spokeswoman Hannah Bardell said: "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." |
| On Twitter, SNP MP Pete Wishart said it was "apparent" that Labour and the SNP together could have defeated the bill. | On Twitter, SNP MP Pete Wishart said it was "apparent" that Labour and the SNP together could have defeated the bill. |
| 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. |
| MPs who voted against the bill | MPs who voted against the bill |
| Abbott, Diane - Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington | Abbott, Diane - Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington |
| Abrahams, Debbie - Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth | Abrahams, Debbie - Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth |
| Ahmed-Sheikh, Tasmina - SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire | Ahmed-Sheikh, Tasmina - SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire |
| Anderson, David - Labour MP for Blaydon | Anderson, David - Labour MP for Blaydon |
| Arkless, Richard - SNP MP for Dumfries and Galloway | Arkless, Richard - SNP MP for Dumfries and Galloway |
| Bardell, Hannah - SNP MP for Livingston | Bardell, Hannah - SNP MP for Livingston |
| Black, Mhairi - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South | Black, Mhairi - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South |
| Blackford, Ian - SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber | Blackford, Ian - SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber |
| Blackman, Kirsty - SNP MP for Aberdeen North | Blackman, Kirsty - SNP MP for Aberdeen North |
| Boswell, Philip - SNP MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | Boswell, Philip - SNP MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill |
| Brake, Tom - Lib Dem MP for Carshalton and Wallington | Brake, Tom - Lib Dem MP for Carshalton and Wallington |
| Brock, Deidre - SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith | Brock, Deidre - SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith |
| Brown, Alan - SNP MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun | Brown, Alan - SNP MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun |
| Burgon, Richard - Labour MP for Leeds East | Burgon, Richard - Labour MP for Leeds East |
| Butler, Dawn - Labour MP for Brent Central | Butler, Dawn - Labour MP for Brent Central |
| Cameron, Dr Lisa - SNP MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow | Cameron, Dr Lisa - SNP MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow |
| Campbell, Gregory - DUP MP for East Londonderry | Campbell, Gregory - DUP MP for East Londonderry |
| Carmichael, Alistair - Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland | Carmichael, Alistair - Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland |
| Chapman, Douglas - SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife | Chapman, Douglas - SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife |
| Cherry, Joanna - SNP MP for Edinburgh South West | Cherry, Joanna - SNP MP for Edinburgh South West |
| Clegg, Nick - Lib Dem MP for Sheffield Hallam | Clegg, Nick - Lib Dem MP for Sheffield Hallam |
| Clwyd, Ann - Labour MP for Cynon Valley | Clwyd, Ann - Labour MP for Cynon Valley |
| Corbyn, Jeremy - Labour MP for Islington North | Corbyn, Jeremy - Labour MP for Islington North |
| Cowan, Ronnie - SNP MP for Inverclyde | Cowan, Ronnie - SNP MP for Inverclyde |
| Crawley, Angela - SNP MP for Lanark and Hamilton East | Crawley, Angela - SNP MP for Lanark and Hamilton East |
| Davies, Geraint - Labour MP for Swansea West | Davies, Geraint - Labour MP for Swansea West |
| Day, Martyn - SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk | Day, Martyn - SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk |
| Docherty, Martin John - SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire | Docherty, Martin John - SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire |
| Dodds, Nigel - DUP MP for Belfast North | Dodds, Nigel - DUP MP for Belfast North |
| Donaldson, Jeffrey M - DUP MP for Lagan Valley | Donaldson, Jeffrey M - DUP MP for Lagan Valley |
| Donaldson, Stuart - SNP MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine | Donaldson, Stuart - SNP MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine |
| Dowd, Peter - Labour MP for Bootle | Dowd, Peter - Labour MP for Bootle |
| Durkan, Mark - SDLP MP for Foyle | Durkan, Mark - SDLP MP for Foyle |
| Edwards, Jonathan - Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr | Edwards, Jonathan - Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr |
| Farron, Tim - Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale | Farron, Tim - Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| Fellows, Marion - SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw | Fellows, Marion - SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw |
| Ferrier, Margaret - SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West | Ferrier, Margaret - SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West |
| Flynn, Paul - Labour MP for Newport West | Flynn, Paul - Labour MP for Newport West |
| Gethins, Stephen - SNP MP for North East Fife | Gethins, Stephen - SNP MP for North East Fife |
| Gibson, Patricia - SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran | Gibson, Patricia - SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran |
| Glindon, Mary - Labour MP for North Tyneside | Glindon, Mary - Labour MP for North Tyneside |
| Godsiff, Roger - Labour MP for Birmingham, Hall Green | Godsiff, Roger - Labour MP for Birmingham, Hall Green |
| Goodman, Helen - Labour MP for Bishop Auckland | Goodman, Helen - Labour MP for Bishop Auckland |
| Grady, Patrick - SNP MP for Glasgow North | Grady, Patrick - SNP MP for Glasgow North |
| Grant, Peter - SNP MP for Glenrothes | Grant, Peter - SNP MP for Glenrothes |
| Gray, Neil - SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts | Gray, Neil - SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts |
| Greenwood, Margaret - Labour MP for Wirral West | Greenwood, Margaret - Labour MP for Wirral West |
| Haigh, Louise - Labour MP for Sheffield, Heeley | Haigh, Louise - Labour MP for Sheffield, Heeley |
| Harris, Carolyn - Labour MP for Swansea East | Harris, Carolyn - Labour MP for Swansea East |
| Hayman, Sue - Labour MP for Workington | Hayman, Sue - Labour MP for Workington |
| Hendry, Drew - SNP MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey | Hendry, Drew - SNP MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey |
| Hosie, Stewart - SNP MP for Dundee East | Hosie, Stewart - SNP MP for Dundee East |
| Hussain, Imran - Labour MP for Bradford East | Hussain, Imran - Labour MP for Bradford East |
| Jones, Gerald - Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney | Jones, Gerald - Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney |
| Jones, Helen - Labour MP for Warrington North | Jones, Helen - Labour MP for Warrington North |
| Kaufman, Sir Gerald - Labour MP for Manchester Gorton | Kaufman, Sir Gerald - Labour MP for Manchester Gorton |
| Kerevan, George - SNP MP for East Lothian | Kerevan, George - SNP MP for East Lothian |
| Kerr, Calum - SNP MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk | Kerr, Calum - SNP MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk |
| Khan, Sadiq - Labour MP for Tooting | Khan, Sadiq - Labour MP for Tooting |
| Kinahan, Danny - UUP MP for South Antrim | Kinahan, Danny - UUP MP for South Antrim |
| Lamb, Norman - Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk | Lamb, Norman - Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk |
| Lammy, David - Labour MP for Tottenham | Lammy, David - Labour MP for Tottenham |
| Lavery, Ian - Labour MP for Wansbeck | Lavery, Ian - Labour MP for Wansbeck |
| Law, Chris - SNP MP for Dundee West | Law, Chris - SNP MP for Dundee West |
| Lewis, Clive - Labour MP for Norwich South | Lewis, Clive - Labour MP for Norwich South |
| Long Bailey, Rebecca - Labour MP for Salford and Eccles | Long Bailey, Rebecca - Labour MP for Salford and Eccles |
| Lucas, Caroline - Green MP for Brighton, Pavilion | Lucas, Caroline - Green MP for Brighton, Pavilion |
| MacNeil, Angus Brendan - SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar | MacNeil, Angus Brendan - SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar |
| Marris, Rob - Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West | Marris, Rob - Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West |
| Maskell, Rachael - Labour MP for York Central | Maskell, Rachael - Labour MP for York Central |
| Mc Nally, John - SNP MP for Falkirk | Mc Nally, John - SNP MP for Falkirk |
| McCaig, Callum - SNP MP for Aberdeen South | McCaig, Callum - SNP MP for Aberdeen South |
| McDonald, Andy - Labour MP for Middlesbrough | McDonald, Andy - Labour MP for Middlesbrough |
| McDonald, Stewart - SNP MP for Glasgow South | McDonald, Stewart - SNP MP for Glasgow South |
| McDonald, Stuart C - SNP MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East | McDonald, Stuart C - SNP MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East |
| McDonnell, Dr Alasdair - SDLP MP for Belfast South | McDonnell, Dr Alasdair - SDLP MP for Belfast South |
| McDonnell, John - Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington | McDonnell, John - Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington |
| McGarry, Natalie - SNP MP for Glasgow East | McGarry, Natalie - SNP MP for Glasgow East |
| McInnes, Liz - Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton | McInnes, Liz - Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton |
| McLaughlin, Anne - SNP MP for Glasgow North East | McLaughlin, Anne - SNP MP for Glasgow North East |
| Meacher, Michael - Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton | Meacher, Michael - Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton |
| Mearns, Ian - Labour MP for Gateshead | Mearns, Ian - Labour MP for Gateshead |
| Monaghan, Carol - SNP MP for Glasgow North West | Monaghan, Carol - SNP MP for Glasgow North West |
| Monaghan, Dr Paul - SNP MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross | Monaghan, Dr Paul - SNP MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross |
| Moon, Madeleine - Labour MP for Bridgend | Moon, Madeleine - Labour MP for Bridgend |
| Morris, Grahame M - Labour MP for Easington | Morris, Grahame M - Labour MP for Easington |
| Mulholland, Greg - Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West | Mulholland, Greg - Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West |
| Mullin, Roger - SNP MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath | Mullin, Roger - SNP MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath |
| Newlands, Gavin - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North | Newlands, Gavin - SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North |
| Nicolson, John - SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire | Nicolson, John - SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire |
| O'Hara, Brendan - SNP MP for Argyll and Bute | O'Hara, Brendan - SNP MP for Argyll and Bute |
| Osamor, Kate - Labour MP for Edmonton | Osamor, Kate - Labour MP for Edmonton |
| Oswald, Kirsten - SNP MP for East Renfrewshire | Oswald, Kirsten - SNP MP for East Renfrewshire |
| Paisley, Ian - DUP MP for North Antrim | Paisley, Ian - DUP MP for North Antrim |
| Paterson, Steven - SNP MP for Stirling | Paterson, Steven - SNP MP for Stirling |
| Pearce, Teresa - Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead | Pearce, Teresa - Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead |
| Pugh, John - Lib Dem MP for Southport | Pugh, John - Lib Dem MP for Southport |
| Rimmer, Marie - Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston | Rimmer, Marie - Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston |
| Ritchie, Margaret - SDLP MP for South Down | Ritchie, Margaret - SDLP MP for South Down |
| Robertson, Angus - SNP MP for Moray | Robertson, Angus - SNP MP for Moray |
| Salmond, Alex - SNP MP for Gordon | Salmond, Alex - SNP MP for Gordon |
| Saville Roberts, Liz - Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd | Saville Roberts, Liz - Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd |
| Shannon, Jim - DUP MP for Strangford | Shannon, Jim - DUP MP for Strangford |
| Sheppard, Tommy - SNP MP for Edinburgh East | Sheppard, Tommy - SNP MP for Edinburgh East |
| Sherriff, Paula - Labour MP for Dewsbury | Sherriff, Paula - Labour MP for Dewsbury |
| Siddiq, Tulip - Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn | Siddiq, Tulip - Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn |
| Skinner, Dennis - Labour MP for Bolsover | Skinner, Dennis - Labour MP for Bolsover |
| Smith, Cat - Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood | Smith, Cat - Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood |
| Stephens, Chris - SNP MP for Glasgow South West | Stephens, Chris - SNP MP for Glasgow South West |
| Stevens, Jo - Labour MP for Cardiff Central | Stevens, Jo - Labour MP for Cardiff Central |
| Stringer, Graham - Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton | Stringer, Graham - Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton |
| Thewliss, Alison - SNP MP for Glasgow Central | Thewliss, Alison - SNP MP for Glasgow Central |
| Thomson, Michelle - SNP MP for Edinburgh West | Thomson, Michelle - SNP MP for Edinburgh West |
| Weir, Mike - SNP MP for Angus | Weir, Mike - SNP MP for Angus |
| Whiteford, Dr Eilidh - SNP MP for Banff and Buchan | Whiteford, Dr Eilidh - SNP MP for Banff and Buchan |
| Whitford, Dr Philippa - SNP MP for Central Ayrshire | Whitford, Dr Philippa - SNP MP for Central Ayrshire |
| Williams, Hywel - Plaid Cymru MP for Argon | Williams, Hywel - Plaid Cymru MP for Argon |
| Williams, Mr Mark - Lib Dem MP for Ceredigion | Williams, Mr Mark - Lib Dem MP for Ceredigion |
| Wilson, Corri - SNP MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | Wilson, Corri - SNP MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock |
| Wilson, Sammy - DUP MP for East Antrim | Wilson, Sammy - DUP MP for East Antrim |
| Winnick, David - Labour MP for Walsall North | Winnick, David - Labour MP for Walsall North |
| Wishart, Pete - SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire | Wishart, Pete - SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire |
| Wright, Iain - Labour MP for Hartlepool | Wright, Iain - Labour MP for Hartlepool |
| Zeichner, Daniel - Labour MP for Cambridge | Zeichner, Daniel - Labour MP for Cambridge |