Starmer faces growing Labour rebellion over welfare cuts

Starmer is confronted with a growing labor revolt over welfare cuts. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure from within his own party as a growing number of Labour MPs voice opposition to his stance on welfare cuts. Within a few weeks of Labour's historic victory in the general election, the internal rebellion has revealed deep divisions within the party. Starmer's decision to maintain some welfare restrictions imposed by the previous Conservative government, particularly the two-child benefit cap, is at the heart of the dissent. Despite pre-election hopes that a Labour government would reverse the policy—seen by critics as punitive and harmful to low-income families—Starmer has signalled there will be no immediate change.

The backlash has been swift. A letter urging the Prime Minister to reconsider his position was signed by more than 30 Labour MPs, including several newly elected members. The group argues that the policy disproportionately affects working-class families and undermines Labour’s longstanding commitment to social justice.

"Labour was elected on a promise of change," said one senior backbencher. "Keeping policies that keep children in poverty is not what our voters signed up for."

Deputy Prime Minister and prominent left-wing figure Angela Rayner reportedly expressed concern behind closed doors. Although she has not publicly broken ranks, sources say she has lobbied Starmer to soften his stance and open a wider debate on the future of welfare policy.

In Parliament, Starmer has defended his position as one of fiscal responsibility, arguing that reversing the two-child limit and other welfare caps would cost billions and jeopardize Labour’s broader economic plans.

“We inherited a broken economy and a fragile public purse,” Starmer said during Prime Minister’s Questions. “We must prioritise stability before we can expand support. That’s the responsible course of action.”

But critics argue that such a stance contradicts Labour’s recent pledges to reduce child poverty and rebuild trust with working families after years of austerity. Additionally, think tanks like the Resolution Foundation and the Child Poverty Action Group have voiced their opposition, pointing out that the two-child limit has contributed to the poverty of over 250,000 children since its introduction. Within the Labour grassroots, frustration is palpable. The leadership has been urged to reevaluate its position by a number of affiliated organizations and trade unions. Momentum, the left-wing campaign group, accused Starmer of "betraying the values of the Labour movement" and warned that continued adherence to Tory-era welfare cuts could lead to disillusionment among key parts of the party’s voter base.

This brewing rebellion poses a serious challenge to Starmer's efforts to maintain party unity and project a stable image of government. Having won a large majority, Starmer now faces the delicate task of balancing the expectations of his party’s progressive wing with the pressures of governing during an economic downturn.

Political analysts suggest that how he handles this crisis could define his premiership. “Starmer is at a crossroads,” said Professor Anand Menon of King’s College London. “He either uses his mandate to make bold changes or risks being seen as overly cautious and technocratic.”

Some within Labour’s leadership argue that the welfare policies are being reviewed as part of a wider economic reset, but that change will come gradually. However, for many MPs and campaigners, time is of the essence.

“There’s no point waiting two or three years to scrap a policy that is doing damage right now,” said Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South. “Labour must show moral leadership from day one.”

As pressure mounts, all eyes are on Starmer’s next move. Will he stick to his current line, or heed the calls from within his party to make a decisive break from Conservative-era social policy? Either choice carries risks—and the wrong one could mark the beginning of deeper rifts within the Labour Party’s fragile coalition.