PM insists party remains ‘pretty united’ despite more than 120 of his MPs signalling they could vote down bill
Keir Starmer has shrugged off mounting Labour unrest over his flagship welfare cuts, dismissing the backlash as “noises off” and insisting his party remains “pretty united” behind the need for change.
The prime minister is facing the biggest revolt of his premiership as more than 120 MPs signalled in an amendment they could vote against the welfare bill on Tuesday in a rebellion led by select committee chairs and previously loyalist Labour MPs.
Ministers have told the Guardian they do not believe the government has the option to press ahead with the bill in the face of such unrest. However, senior sources in both the Department for Work and Pensions and No 10 have insisted it will be voted on next Tuesday.
Speaking at the Nato summit in The Hague, the prime minister rejected suggestions he lacked political instinct, pointing to Labour’s landslide election win as proof of his judgment.
