Keir Starmer departing Downing Street for PMQs in London (Image: Getty)
Keir Starmer was branded “ruthless” after he defeated his first major backbench rebellion since the election, as a number of high-profile Labour MPs hoped to force his hand.
He suspended seven of his own MPs yesterday for rebelling against him in a key King’s Speech vote over child benefits. Government whips had spent the day threatening MPs in the hope of staving off the widely-anticipated rebellion.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Orthowalkway
They're Feeling Walking On Clouds - Now 70% Off!Orthowalkway
Undo
An SNP amendment to the King’s Speech calling for the abolition of the two-child benefit cap was defeated by 363 to 103.
However MPs complained that the Government’s new whips had been using too much stick, and not enough carrot, to cajole them into the right voting lobby.
Sponsored
Amstar: A Destination Management Company
Amstar: A Destination Management Company Book Now
The Best Tours at the Mexican Caribbean with Amstar
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Keir Starmer defeated his first major backbench rebellion (Image: Getty)
READ MORE
SNP chief erupts at Labour before Speaker scolds him for breaking rules [READ]
Rishi Sunak has Commons in stitches with brutal joke just seconds into PMQs [LATEST]
Everyone says the same thing within minutes of Keir Starmer's first PMQs [REACTION]
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn urged Government backbenchers to rebel after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle selected a King’s Speech amendment pressing for the policy to be abolished “immediately”.
The SNP proposal was backed by Plaid Cymru, the Green Party and other MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – who is now an Independent.
42 Labour MPs abstained on the vote, including rebel ringleader Diane Abbott.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
227 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
I'm a pensions expert - huge problem with Winter Fuel Payment cut means Labour will U-turn
1301 Comments
Incredible map shows how many new homes Angela Rayner wants to build where you live
98 Comments
Labour swiftly stabbed in the back by union after pandering to junior doctors' pay demands
144 Comments
Labour accused of 'shredding' housing targets in London despite urgent need
75 Comments
Lord Frost says only one Tory candidate is speaking honestly and can defeat Labour
44 Comments
UK firms addicted to cheap foreign labour - and British workers are sidelined
69 Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
293 Comments
Outrage as Labour make 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU
1298 Comments
Angela Rayner's set to ditch big housebuilding rule and you're not going to like it
851 Comments
Andrew Neil slams Rachel Reeves and issues brutal two-word warning to Labour
252 Comments
Labour is ‘taking away money from pensioners on the breadline'
105 Comments
Coupon Code Finder
Amazon's Worst Nightmare: Thousands Canceling Prime for This Clever HackCoupon Code Finder
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
What is it like inside the Tory leadership campaign?
20 Comments
'I'm disgusted by Rachel Reeves' attack on pensioners - it makes life not worth living'
614 Comments
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
227 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
I'm a pensions expert - huge problem with Winter Fuel Payment cut means Labour will U-turn
1301 Comments
Incredible map shows how many new homes Angela Rayner wants to build where you live
98 Comments
Labour swiftly stabbed in the back by union after pandering to junior doctors' pay demands
144 Comments
Labour accused of 'shredding' housing targets in London despite urgent need
75 Comments
Lord Frost says only one Tory candidate is speaking honestly and can defeat Labour
44 Comments
UK firms addicted to cheap foreign labour - and British workers are sidelined
69 Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
293 Comments
Outrage as Labour make 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU
1298 Comments
Angela Rayner's set to ditch big housebuilding rule and you're not going to like it
851 Comments
Andrew Neil slams Rachel Reeves and issues brutal two-word warning to Labour
252 Comments
Labour is ‘taking away money from pensioners on the breadline'
105 Comments
What is it like inside the Tory leadership campaign?
20 Comments
'I'm disgusted by Rachel Reeves' attack on pensioners - it makes life not worth living'
614 Comments
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
227 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
plaque psoriasis | search ads
Plaque psoriasis is silent but deadly: 10 Symptoms you should know plaque psoriasis | search ads
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
In a statement this evening, Ms Abbott said she had been away from Parliament and therefore unable to vote, slapping down any suggestion she had been ‘got to’ by Government whips.
And now Express.co.uk readers have their chance to vote in our poll on whether Starmer should scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Don't miss...
Labour civil war erupts with Keir Starmer accused of 'macho virility test' [LATEST]
I warned Labour was coming for our pensions - but never dreamt it would do THAT [LATEST]
Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak put UK on war footing in PMQs [LATEST]
Keir Starmer ruthlessly suspends seven MPs over rebellion in Labour civil war [LATEST]
Keir Starmer defeats two-child benefit cap rebellion - how did your MP vote? [LATEST]
Trending
If you can't see the poll above, click here to vote.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Related articles Labour announces bombshell ￡22m Bibby Stockholm barge closure in major overhaul Keir Starmer’s wardrobe boost after ￡16,200 clothing gift from rich Labour donor Starmer to spend tens of billions this autumn and homeowners will pay the price Labour accused of 'spouting' ambitions without plan to get sick Britons to work 'Bankrupt' Labour council makes scary admission about even bigger debt mountain