John McDonnell has criticised Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
A Labour civil war has erupted after a Labour MP and close ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn has blasted Sir Keir Starmer over his refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap in the King's Speech - despite launching a new taskforce dedicated to reducing poverty.
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John McDonnell, who served as Shadow Chancellor from 2015 to 2020, urged the PM to make the bold move which he argues would help “lift 300,000 children out of poverty”.
He told the Commons: “I was in this House when the Tories introduced it, it was introduced as part of the stigmatising of all those on benefits. I did a speech, I actually think I said I’d swim through vomit to vote against this piece of legislation, and some of the nauseous speeches from the Tories at the time almost meant I would have to."
It comes as the party has faced constant pressure to scrap the limit since before the election, including from charities and rival political parties including the SNP, Reform UK, and Plaid Cymru in Wales - as well as a number of Labour backbenchers including Mr McDonnell.
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READ MORE: Wales Labour crisis is huge opportunity for Reform - Nigel Farage issues warning [LATEST]
John McDonnell was one of Jeremy Corbyn's closest allies (Image: Getty)
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He added: “It was (an) appalling form of attack on the poorest within our communities. I think we just need to lift that stigma, lift that impact, but we need to do it quickly.
"So yes, set up this taskforce by all means, but produce a timetable that within weeks we will scrap the two-child limit.”
The MP for Hayes and Harlington said “the resources are there” and appealed to the Government to “take the benefits” of the growing economy and scrap the policy.
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Referencing the war in Gaza, Mr McDonnell also urged the Government to stop arms sales to Israel and “recognise a war crime should be punished”.
He added: “I have been trying to mobilise the last government, as other governments across the world have been doing, to accept seriously injured children in Gaza to come here for treatment.
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"Not one visa has been issued to a Palestinian child for that respect.
"I have written to the Foreign Secretary and also the Home Secretary and I’m hoping our Government can welcome those children here.”
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