The SNP has claimed that Westminster is facing a 'summer of discontent' with the future of both the Prime Minister and his Government 'in limbo'. Dave Doogan, the party's Westminster leader, criticised the 'chaos' in the UK Government following the latest resignations from Sir Keir Starmer's top team, alleging that Labour is now 'entering a full blown civil war'.
He said: 'Labour's chaos means that Westminster is set for another summer of discontent – the public is left with a Prime Minister and a UK Government literally living in limbo.'
His comments came as the PM's fragile authority suffered a further blow earlier this week with the resignation of defence secretary John Healey, who claimed UK spending on defence 'falls well short of what is required' to keep the country safe. That was quickly followed by Al Carns quitting as armed forces minister, along with two ministerial aides.
These are the latest resignations to hit the Government over the course of recent weeks, following the departure of health secretary Wes Streeting and a number of junior figures who left their posts in the wake of Labour's bruising election defeats across Scotland, England and Wales in May. Meanwhile, the Makerfield by-election on Thursday could see Andy Burnham – who has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions – return to the Commons, with Mr Streeting also expected to run in any contest to succeed Sir Keir.
Mr Doogan said: 'The raft of resignations in the last few days is confirmation that the Labour Party is entering into a full-blown civil war, but as usual it is the public who will be left to count the cost of their chaos. Every single day that the Labour Party are focused on fighting amongst themselves is one more day they will ignore the priorities of the people they are actually there to serve.'
He added: 'People gave Labour their trust to be a responsible Government, instead they have been reckless from the very day they took office. For years, Labour politicians arrogantly lectured others about getting on with the day job – now they can't even get through a full week without another resignation or another scandal.'
He said 'in the real world – the cost-of-living emergency deepens for families, with energy bills set to soar by over £200 at the start of July'. While Mr Doogan accepted 'all political parties face their challenges', he said it is 'unforgivable that in Westminster those challenges constantly consume the job of Government'.
The SNP MP said: 'Chaos is now the permanent pattern of Westminster and a generation of our people have been left to pay the price of that damage and decline.' He sought to contrast the situation south of the border with the 'reliable leadership of John Swinney' as SNP leader and Scottish First Minister.
Mr Doogan vowed: 'The SNP won't let the distraction of Westminster's chaos stop us from focusing on the priorities of the Scottish people. The SNP will get on with the job of Government and keep delivering on our promises with new support for first-time buyers, a massive childcare expansion, and more progress in bringing down NHS waiting lists. We'll also keep offering the Scottish people the only hope of an escape from the constant chaos of Westminster through the fresh start of independence.'
