Sir Keir Starmer has been rocked by a mass exodus of local councillors over Labour’s decision to push ahead with cuts to Britain’s ballooning benefits bill.
The Prime Minister, who already lost a number of leading grassroots politicians following his decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments, sat loyally alongside Liz Kendall on Tuesday as the Work & Pensione Secretary unveiled measures to curb welfare spending by £5billion.
Starmer faced fury from Labour MPs in the House of Commons yesterday, with ex-Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott accusing the Prime Minister of “balancing the books” on the backs of Britain’s poorest and most vulnerable.
Richard Burgon, who was briefly suspended as a Labour MP after rebelling last summer to vote in favour on an SNP two-child benefit cap amendment, later warned the “mother of all rebellions” looms for the Prime Minister.
However, it would appear that Labour is already processing a number of resignations at a grassroots level.
Peter Lowe, who served as Labour leader on Dudley Council, tendered his resignation after being a party member for 41-years.
He said: “I cannot in all honesty be consistent to my principles, or the community I serve if I choose my party over the people I was elected to represent.
“If it’s wrong for the Tories to be attacking the most vulnerable in our community in Dudley, then it must be wrong for my government to be doing the same.
“To be associated with this attack is not something I can be part of. Many of my friends and their families, in addition to my constituents, will be severely impacted by this.”
Doncaster Council, which looks poised to pit Starmer’s Labour directly against a resurgent Reform UK, is also bracing for imminent resignations.
The Corbyn-supporting Momentum group is encouraging its members to remain inside the Labour Party to pile pressure on the Prime Minister.
However, a source declared that it is becoming “increasingly untenable” for local councillors to go out to bat for Starmer over his cost-cutting measures.
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Keir Starmer faces ‘mother of all rebellions’ over benefits bill cut, Labour rebel warns
‘We won’t defend them!’ EU blocks Brexit Britain from £125billion Brussels defence fund
The European Union has blocked Brexit Britain from joining the bloc’s £125billion defence fund.
France succeeded in keeping suppliers from the UK, Turkey and US outside the tent.
Responding to the decision, leading Brexiteer Lord Daniel Hannan said: “The EU is under no obligation to buy weapons from Britain.
“Britain is under no obligation to defend Europe. If the EU does not want us as an ally, it is wholly within its rights.”
Vladimir Putin ‘fears’ Britain’s ‘incredibly effective’ nuclear weapons, Keir Starmer insists
Russian President Vladimir Putin is fearful of Britain’s “incredibly effective” nuclear weapons, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted.
The Prime Minister said Trident had proved “incredibly effective” since its introduction in the 1990s.
He added: “I think they appreciate our capability. What is obviously important is that they appreciate that it is what it is, which is a credible capability.”
Kemi Badenoch blasts Nigel Farage for ‘siding with Britain’s enemies’
Kemi BadenochPA
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to renew her feud with Nigel Farage today.
During the launch of the Conservatives 2025 Local Elections campaign, the Leader of the Opposition will go after the Reform UK leader over Reform UK’s alleged sympathy to Russia.
Badenoch, echoing Sir Keir Starmer’s attack of Farage “fawning” for Vladimir Putin, is expected to accuse the Clacton MP of “siding with Britain’s enemies”.
She will also say: “The Conservatives are the only party that stands up for families, for rural communities, and for local businesses.
“Labour pander to the unions. The Lib Dems waste your taxes. Reform have no experience running anything.”