Starmer says welfare vote will go ahead despite threat of Labour rebellion

Sir Keir Starmer has said a vote on welfare reforms will go ahead next week despite an unprecedented number of Labour MPs expected to rebel.

Taking questions from journalists following a speech at the NATO summit, the prime minister was asked how he can govern the country if he cannot govern his party.

PM insists he can ‘read the room’ despite growing rebellion

He replied: “On the question of welfare reform, we’re committed to reforming our welfare system. It doesn’t work. It traps people. And it has to be reformed.

“And it also has to ensure we’ve got a welfare system that is fit for the future. That is why there will be a vote and we will press ahead with the reforms.”

Defeat will trigger a leadership contest

Responding to other questions, he went on to insist there was a “pretty united front” among Labour MPs that the UK’s welfare system needs reform.

“You won’t find many Labour MPs who are not accepting that we need reform, we are absolutely on the page with them,” he said.

Cabinet ministers have been calling Labour rebels unhappy with the government’s welfare reforms ahead of a crunch vote next week. One MP says a cabinet minister warned them defeat will trigger a leadership contest.

UK’s welfare system needs reform not cuts

Speaking on TV armed forces minister Luke Pollard said talks were ongoing with rebels about potential concessions.

He said it was “entirely reasonable” for ministers, including in the Department for Work and Pensions, “to engage in constructive dialogue with those folks”.

Back at NATO, the prime minister also said he was “very confident” he will lead the Labour Party into the next election, saying “it is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country”.

More than 100 Labour MPs have put their names to a “reasoned amendment” that could stop the government’s welfare bill in its tracks.

Ministers say the reforms will help get people into work, but many MPs are worried it will push disabled people into poverty.

Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition.

However, the rebels argue disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes.