Starmer Stumbles as Welfare Vote Passes After Another Shockingly U‑Turn

Labour’s Big Slip‑up: The Welfare U‑Turn That Shook the Party

In a dramatic turn of events, Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to reshuffle welfare had to be abandoned at the last minute. Labour MPs who didn’t like the plan pushed the government to reverse course on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) restrictions.

What Went Down

Starmer announced a stricter PIP eligibility rule.
Labor rebels leapt in and demanded a change.
The government rushed to reverse the decision, losing the vote in the Commons.

One MP called the whole thing a “complete farce,” and the proposed bill is now officially dead.

The Domino Effect on Budget Dreams

With the welfare plan out of the picture, the Chancellor’s plan to save billions vanished. Now Rachel Reeves is feeling the heat as the Conservatives start sniffing out their next target.

Shadow Coup

Mel Stride, the Shadow Chancellor, fired off a note to Reeves, asking how she intends to squeeze in the £7.25 billion the government wants to spend. He called the missing policies a “black hole” and warned that if Starmer’s defeat leaves a gap, we’ll see:

Tax hikes
More borrowing
Both, all the while

“Labour is making unfunded U‑turns that cost billions,” Stride wrote on social media. “What’s the plan, @RachelReevesMP? Are we raising taxes, borrowing more, or doing both? Labour needs to give the country some answers.”