Four Labour MPs who were suspended from the parliamentary party for rebelling against the government have now been readmitted following a review of their conduct.
The Suspension and the Rebellion
The MPs – Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman, and Rachael Maskell – lost the party whip after they all voted against the Labour government's controversial benefits reforms. This act of defiance was part of a wider rebellion that ultimately led to the postponement of the proposed welfare changes back in July.
At the time, Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, became visibly emotional when discussing the impact of welfare cuts on her constituents. She defended her decision to vote against the bill, stating she had been suspended for "standing up for my constituents".
Whip Restored Amid Party Tensions
The decision to restore the whip to the four backbenchers was confirmed on Friday, 7th November 2025. This move comes at a sensitive time for the Labour Party, which is reportedly facing internal divisions over the potential breaking of manifesto promises concerning tax hikes ahead of the upcoming Budget.
The reinstatement followed a formal review of the MPs' recent behaviour, signalling a potential de-escalation of the internal conflict, at least for these four members. The party's leadership has taken this step as it navigates complex policy challenges and seeks to maintain unity.
This remains a developing story, with further updates expected.
