STARMER WINS FUEL CUT VOTE

A Tory attempt to block Labour's winter fuel allowance cuts has predictably failed in the Commons thanks to Labour's huge majority.  Despite support from the Lib Dems, Reform, Greens, SNP, Plaid, independents and all the Northern Ireland parties (excluding Sinn Fein), the Tories lost the vote 348-228.  52 Labour MPs abstained or were absent from the vote, but only one - Jon Trickett - voted against the government.

Labour MPs who abstained or did not register a vote

Diane Abbott

Tahir Ali

Rosena Allin-Khan

Fleur Anderson

Tonia Antoniazzi

Paula Barker

Lorraine Beavers

Hilary Benn

Matt Bishop

Elsie Blundell

Phil Brickell

Dawn Butler

Beccy Cooper

Marsha de Cordova

Stephen Doughty

Rosie Duffield

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Maria Eagle

Cat Eccles

Sarah Edwards

Clive Efford

Mary Foy

Gill Furniss

Paulette Hamilton

Sharon Hodgson

Leigh Ingham

Diana Johnson

Kim Johnson

Mike Kane

Naushabah Khan

Ian Lavery

Emma Lewell-Buck

Clive Lewis

Amanda Martin

Rachael Maskell

Andy McDonald

Grahame Morris

Kate Osamor

Kate Osborne

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

Marie Rimmer

Naz Shah

Cat Smith

Sarah Smith

Euan Stainbank

Kenneth Stevenson

Nick Thomas-Symonds

Chris Webb

Nadia Whittome

Mohammad Yasin

Daniel Zeichner

It is not clear how many of these MPs abstained in protest, but there are reports that only 12 were absent from the chamber.  Several ministers were among those who did not vote, which will rattle Starmer if they deliberately abstained.

The seven members of the Socialist Campaign Group currently suspended from Labour following a previous rebellion, mostly continued their dissidence by backing the Tory motion.

Labour MPs currently suspended following a previous rebellion, voted as follows

Apsana Begum (for Tory motion)

Richard Burgon (for)

Ian Byrne (for)

Imran Hussain (did not vote)

Rebecca Long-Bailey (did not vote)

John McDonnell (for)

Zarah Sultana (for)

Jeremy Corbyn also backed the Tory motion.

It is not yet known if Starmer will strip Jon Trickett of the party whip.  The veteran MP, also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, posted the following statement on his social media accounts.

Following the vote, the words 'SHAME ON YOU' trended on X.  Many users posted the words and tagged in Labour MPs who had voted for the fuel cut.  Some pointed out the hypocrisy of some MPs who had previously pledged to maintain the fuel allowance or had accused the then Tory government of plotting to end it.

Many on the left are particularly exasperated that just two months into a Labour government, it is them who cuts the allowance and the Tory opposition is joined by every single party in opposing the move.  Shame on you, Keir.  You may unite this country, after-all... against you!