Downing Street Refuses to Say It Is Confident Welfare Bill Will Pass in Commons – Guido Fawkes

Downing Street Refuses to Say It Is Confident Welfare Bill Will Pass in Commons

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At today’s Lobby briefing Starmer’s spokesman numerous times refused to say that Downing Street was confident its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will actually pass in parliament. It is due for its second reading next week…

The spokesman said “we recognise the strength of feeling on this issue” and Liz Kendall is to MPs “explaining why these reforms will help transform people’s lives.” Apart from saying the  “government believes this is a good package of reforms” there was no stated confidence that the bill would pass next week…

There was also no guarantee provided to journalists that a U-turn is not on the books. It will be the only option if Labour whips cannot get on top of the now very public rebellion…

Asked if the OBR’s scoring of the bill will be brought forward from the autumn or if there would be an additional consultation – as demanded by the rebels – Downing Street said there already has been “extensive engagement.” If the vote fails it will be Starmer’s first Commons defeat – three days before Starmer’s one-year anniversary. Expect concessions…