Labour divides deepen as Starmer faces internal rebellion and honours backbenchers

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1. https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/starmer-said-to-be-facing-plots-to-oust-him-as-labour-welcomes-back-rebel-mps-DVAB5GJZSVJWFMGYGEIJD5T3BM/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-08/starmer-said-to-be-facing-plots-to-oust-him-as-labour-welcomes-back-rebel-mps - Labour MPs are reportedly plotting to oust Sir Keir Starmer, even as the Prime Minister has welcomed rebellious backbenchers back into the fold. The new intake of Labour parliamentarians are among those said to be discussing the mechanics of a future coup, according to reports. This comes amid despair about the party’s poll ratings and discontent that the Government may break Labour’s manifesto promise not to raise income tax. At the same time, Labour has restored the whip to four MPs who led the charge in rebelling against the Government’s plans to reform benefits. Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman, and Rachael Maskell had the whip suspended in July. They are all understood to have returned to the Parliamentary Labour Party after discussions with chief whip Jonathan Reynolds on Friday. More than 100 Labour MPs joined the rebels in threatening to block welfare reforms being spearheaded by ministers earlier this year, over fears they would harm people claiming disability benefits. The three MPs, aside from York Central MP Ms Maskell, were first elected at last year’s election. She told the PA news agency she was “Labour to the core and will always stand up for Labour values”, after having the whip restored. “I am grateful that the whip has rightfully been restored and want to especially thank all those who have been so kind to me over the last few months,” Ms Maskell added. The Prime Minister, who has been at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil this week, has found himself beset with a series of challenges on his return. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has apologised after being found by a probe to have “unknowingly” breached the governance code on public appointments. She had failed to declare that she received £2,900 in donations from her pick to chair the new football watchdog. The Tories are also calling for Sir Keir to face further scrutiny from the Government’s ethics adviser, as he has also received donations from David Kogan. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy has meanwhile come under fire for his decision not to address the mistaken release of a prisoner from HMP Wandsworth in south west London. The prisoner, 24-year-old Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, was returned to the jail on Friday. But Mr Lammy has been criticised for his decision not to address the blunder when he appeared at Prime Minister’s Questions, despite having been briefed about it. Newly elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Lucy Powell, speaking to party activists and supporters in London. Credit: UK Parliament/PA
3. https://news.sky.com/story/whip-restored-to-rebel-labour-mps-after-six-months-but-three-remain-suspended-13303591 - Four Labour MPs who were suspended for rebelling over the two-child benefit cap have had the whip restored, Sky News understands. Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, and Rebecca Long-Bailey are now back in the parliamentary Labour Party after sitting as independents in the Commons for six months. However, three others who had rebelled remain suspended with their position to be reviewed again in the future. The seven MPs lost the whip in July 2024 after they backed an SNP amendment to the King's Speech to scrap the two-child benefit limit. The three MPs who remain suspended are John McDonnell, Apsana Begum, and Zarah Sultana. The decision to restore the whip to the four MPs follows discussions with the Chief Whip, Jonathan Reynolds, and a review of their recent conduct. The suspensions were initially imposed due to repeated breaches of party discipline, particularly in relation to voting against the government's welfare reforms. The restoration of the whip is seen as a move to reassert control over the party and reinforce party discipline.
4. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-prime-minister-rachael-maskell-mps-labour-b1238759.html - Sir Keir Starmer said he would not be 'deflected' by Labour rebels after he stripped the whip from several MPs. The Prime Minister suspended the whip from Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, and Chris Hinchliff. The four MPs all voted against the Government over the welfare reform legislation, but party sources said the decision to suspend the whip was taken as a result of persistent breaches of discipline rather than a single rebellion. Sir Keir Starmer said he had to 'deal with people who repeatedly break the whip' and that everyone elected as a Labour MP needs to 'deliver as a Labour Government'.
5. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-labour-suspends-four-lawmakers-over-welfare-rebellion-2025-07-16/ - Britain's Labour Party suspended four of its lawmakers on Wednesday for organising plans to vote against the government over its welfare reforms, an attempt by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to re-assert his control. Starmer's authority was undermined earlier this month when dozens of ... . Empowered by their victory, some in ... . A further three lawmakers had trade envoy ... .
6. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/john-mcdonnell-mps-labour-rebecca-longbailey-government-b1209343.html - Four Labour MPs who rebelled against the Government in a vote on the two-child benefit cap have had the whip restored – but three others will remain sitting as Independents. Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, and Rebecca Long-Bailey were suspended from the party in July for backing an SNP-led amendment to scrap the policy. However, three other MPs who also lost the whip following the vote – former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Apsana Begum, and Zarah Sultana – will remain as Independents and have their position reviewed again in future.
7. https://www.upday.com/uk/politics/labour-restores-whip-to-4-mps-suspended-over-welfare-rebellion/6l5kekj - Four Labour MPs have had the parliamentary whip restored following discussions with Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds on Friday. Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman, and Rachael Maskell return to the parliamentary party after sitting as independents in the Commons. The four MPs were previously suspended after repeatedly defying the government on several occasions. Their most notable rebellion came against welfare reforms perceived to negatively impact individuals claiming disability benefits. Three of them - Duncan-Jordan, Hinchliff, and Leishman - were first elected in last year's election.