Sir Keir Starmer has suspended four Labour MPs today for “repeated breaches of party discipline”.
Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell were suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party and will sit as independent MPs.
All four voted against the government’s welfare reforms earlier this month, among 47 party MPs to rebel.
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However, Sky News understands that this isn’t the only reason behind the decision, and that more suspensions could come.
But who are the four MPs suspended? And how critical were they of the government?
Brian Leishman
The MP for Alloa and Grangemouth was first elected in last year’s general election. While the constituency was contested for the first time that year, it would have been an SNP seat notionally.
Mr Leishman is also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group inside Labour and was previously elected to Perth and Kinross Council in 2022.
A frequent voter against the government, he has criticised his party for not doing enough to save Grangemouth oil refinery, and rebelled against votes on the Winter Fuel Allowance and welfare.
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From April: Minister defends refinery closure
In a statement, he said: “I am a proud Labour member, and I remain committed to the party.”
He added that he wishes “to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,” but added he voted against the government on some issues to represent his constituents.
“I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer,…
