In an extraordinary display of Cabinet infighting, Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch has publicly accused Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride of "gaslighting the nation" over controversial changes to disability benefits.
The explosive row erupted after Mr Stride suggested the government wanted to move away from a "one size fits all" approach to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, claiming the current system often leads to "perverse outcomes" where taxpayers' money goes to people with "mild anxiety."
Social Media Blast
Mrs Badenoch didn't hold back in her response, taking to social media to condemn her colleague's comments. "Mel Stride is gaslighting the nation on PIP reforms," she declared. "I have never discussed any proposed changes to PIP with him, nor have I seen any plans. Mel might be encountering resistance because his ideas are bad, not because others are misleading the public."
Broader Political Fallout
The public spat comes as the Conservatives face mounting pressure from opposition parties. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer seized on the division, stating: "The level of chaos is extraordinary. They're fighting like cats in a sack while the country faces serious challenges."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey echoed these sentiments, calling the situation "utter chaos" and questioning how the government could function effectively with such public disagreements between senior ministers.
What's Really at Stake?
At the heart of the controversy are proposed reforms to the welfare system that could significantly impact how disability benefits are assessed and distributed. The government appears to be considering:
- Moving away from fixed cash payments for certain conditions
- Implementing more tailored support systems
- Addressing what ministers call "over-medicalising everyday challenges"
However, disability advocates have raised serious concerns that these changes could leave vulnerable people without crucial financial support.
What Happens Next?
This public airing of Cabinet dirty laundry raises serious questions about government unity and policy direction. With a general election looming, such visible divisions could prove damaging to the Conservative Party's credibility on social policy and economic management.
The Prime Minister now faces the challenging task of reconciling these competing visions within his own government while maintaining a coherent policy platform ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested election campaign.
