Starmer Facing Rebellion as Labour Red Wall MPs Demand Action ‘Before It’s Too Late’ – Guido Fawkes

Starmer Facing Rebellion as Labour Red Wall MPs Demand Action ‘Before It’s Too Late’

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Keir Starmer is facing growing unrest from within his own ranks after his much-maligned welfare and winter fuel cuts helped pave the way for Labour’s brutal local election results, losing two-thirds of the seats it was defending. The Labour Red Wall Group – a bloc of 45 MPs led by Bassetlaw MP Jo White – has issued a stinging “call to action,” suggesting Starmer is out of touch and demanding a rethink of the winter fuel cuts. They warn that slogans of “change” have “fallen on deaf ears,” urging Starmer to “break away from Treasury orthodoxy” and to “act now before it’s too late.” Ouch…

Adding fuel to the fire, fresh polling from More in Common finds a whopping 60% of Brits would view the government more favourably if it U-turned on the winter fuel cuts. Though business secretary Jonathan Reynolds this morning flatly said “no” when asked if No. 10 was discussing the policy – a noticeable shift from Wes Streeting’s evasions yesterday. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for Sky News today puts Reform in the lead with a thumping 29% (its highest vote share so far), Labour trailing on 22%, and the Tories on 17%. Tough times ahead for Starmer…

Read the group’s statement in full below:

Statement from the Red Wall Group of Labour MPs following the local election results

The election results were the first big test for the Prime Minister and the Plan for Change in red wall areas.
Our voters told us loudly and clearly that we have not met their expectations. The response that the Government will go further and faster on the Plan for Change has fallen on deaf ears.
This is our call for action: visit our areas, listen and rebuild the social contract between government and the people.
The Prime Minister has shown strong leadership internationally which must now be matched at home. Responding to the issues raised by our constituents, including on winter fuel, isn’t weak it takes us to a position of strength.
He must now break the disconnect between Westminster and the red wall areas. The demands raised by new MPs from post-industrial towns where infrastructure is poor with years of underinvestment must be taken off the too-difficult-to-do list. Breakaway from Treasury orthodoxy otherwise we will never get the investment we desperately need.
The Government needs to it improve messaging by telling our story and articulating our values in the language that resonates and is heard.
Labour cannot afford to lose the red wall again as it reopens the route to a future of opposition and an existential crisis. Without red wall communities, we are not the Labour Party.
The Government has to act now before it’s too late.