Four Labour MPs who were suspended from the party for rebelling against the government's welfare reforms have now had their party whip restored.
The Suspension and Return
The MPs – Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman, and Rachael Maskell – had the whip withdrawn after they repeatedly voted against Labour's benefits reforms back in July.
Their reinstatement follows a formal review of their conduct, which concluded on Friday 07 November 2025.
Internal Party Tensions Surface
The return of the four MPs occurs against a backdrop of significant internal party divisions. These rifts are particularly focused on potential tax increases ahead of the upcoming Budget.
Adding to the tension, Labour's newly elected deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has publicly urged the Government to avoid raising taxes. This stance directly contradicts widespread speculation about the plans of Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The emotional impact of the welfare policies was highlighted when Rachael Maskell reportedly became choked up while discussing the effect of benefit cuts on one of her constituents.
Ongoing Backbench Pressure
While these four MPs have been brought back into the fold, pressure from the party's left continues. Other Labour backbenchers, including Richard Burgon and Steve Witherden, are still actively campaigning for more progressive measures.
A key demand from this wing of the party is the scrapping of the controversial two-child benefit cap, signalling that the debate over the party's direction on social security is far from over.
