Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is confronting significant internal challenges as reports emerge of Labour MPs discussing plans to remove him from leadership.
Growing Discontent and Rebel MPs Return
According to the i Paper, newly elected Labour parliamentarians are among those actively discussing the mechanics of a potential future leadership coup. This brewing discontent stems from concerns about the party's poor poll ratings and fears that the government may break its manifesto promise not to raise income tax.
In a contrasting development, the Labour whip has been restored to four MPs who led July's rebellion against the government's welfare reform plans. Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff, Brian Leishman and Rachael Maskell had their party membership suspended but were reinstated following discussions with chief whip Jonathan Reynolds on Friday 7th November.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell told PA news agency: "I am Labour to the core and will always stand up for Labour values." She expressed gratitude for having the whip "rightfully restored" after more than 100 Labour MPs joined the rebels in opposing disability benefit changes earlier this year.
Multiple Crises Converge on Downing Street
The Prime Minister's return from the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil has been marked by several simultaneous crises. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has apologised after an investigation found she "unknowingly" breached governance codes by failing to declare £2,900 in donations from her chosen candidate to chair football's new watchdog.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faces criticism over his handling of the mistaken release of sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif from HMP Wandsworth. The 24-year-old Algerian national was returned to prison on Friday, but Lammy has been condemned for not addressing the security breach during Prime Minister's Questions.
Budget Tensions and Broken Promises
The government faces mounting pressure over speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning to break Labour's key manifesto pledge by raising taxes in the November 26 Budget. Newly elected deputy leader Lucy Powell has warned that breaking the promise not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT could severely damage "trust in politics."
The Times reports that Reeves is considering limiting tax-free pension contributions, potentially capping the amount of salary that can be sacrificed for extra pension contributions before national insurance contributions apply to just £2,000 per year. This comes amid broader concerns about the government's direction and Starmer's leadership as multiple crises converge.
