It’s crunch time: do Labour MPs serve Scotland or Starmer?
by A vote in the House of Commons today will force MPs to pick a side in the increasingly bitter row over the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment.
The surprise announcement from Sir Keir Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has left Labour MPs reeling. One has even warned the Prime Minister that the cut could put pensioners in harm’s way this winter.
Labour MPs could inflict a defeat on the government if they wanted to, stopping the policy in its tracks.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis warned that even with the pension uplift – guaranteed thanks to the triple lock, which sees pensions linked to inflation, pensioners will be £500 worse off.
Pensioners face a difficult winter – especially with energy bills set to rise by 10%, despite a much feted promise to cut the cost of gas and electricity.
Will Labour MPs stand up for Scotland or Starmer? https://t.co/YdqqEEtVnh
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) September 9, 2024
Scotland’s 37 Labour MPs hold significant sway as a voting bloc due to their size. Each was elected on a promise to not implement austerity – with Scottish leader Anas Sarwar even going to far to say “read my lips – no austerity under Labour” during one election debate.
But Sir Keir Starmer’s choice to keep the Conservatives’ fiscal rules, coupled with his bruising austerity programme, is forcing devolved governments into impossible situations – and the blame is firmly at Labour’s door.
For instance, the Scottish Government has had to delay its plans to provide a similar fuel benefit this winter; as a direct consequence of budgetary pressures from Labour in Westminster.
This is a massive week for Scottish Labour MPs and could define their whole Parliamentary term. We have the most demanding climate in the UK and only a fraction of our pensioners will receive support if this is voted through. It’s now up to them to do the right thing. Will they? https://t.co/Vmsm27uVx4
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) September 9, 2024
It is clear that Scottish Labour MPs could act if they wanted to – keeping their promises to constituents and standing up for their communities here in Scotland.
But will they?
So far, they have caved into Sir Keir Starmer on cuts to Scotland’s budget and retaining the two child cap – a crippling austerity measure that is directly pushing children into poverty.
It’s crunch time for Scottish Labour MPs – are they in politics to do some good, or merely for the MP’s salary and expenses? Will they put their constituents first – or the party whip?
It’s time for Scotland’s 37 Labour MPs to show their true colours.