Rebels accuse No. 10 of threats and arrogance as Starmer caves in to avoid Commons defeat on welfare bill

Keir Starmer has been accused of arrogance, detachment, and political mismanagement after Labour’s flagship welfare reform bill collapsed into a humiliating climbdown — a revolt described by MPs as a direct result of threats, intimidation, and a refusal to listen.

What began as a green paper to overhaul the UK‘s benefits system has snowballed into a full-blown crisis for Starmer, as more than 120 Labour MPs — including select committee chairs and newly elected loyalists — rallied behind an amendment that would have killed the welfare bill at its second reading.

The rebellion forced Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to perform a late-night U-turn on Thursday, issuing a Downing Street statement just after midnight promising a rethink. But the damage was already done.

Labour MPs from across the party have slammed No 10 for treating the parliamentary Labour party like “naughty children” and say the chaos stemmed from a culture of contempt towards backbenchers.

“This happened because of arrogance from the top,” said one veteran MP. “They didn’t think anyone had the guts to rebel. They laughed at us. But the new intake organised themselves.”

At the heart of the unrest is the government’s proposal to tighten access to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), used by people with long-term illness or disability. It was met with concern from charities and MPs alike — yet ministers, backed by a 150-seat majority, pressed ahead.

Behind the scenes, MPs say they were stonewalled, patronised and even threatened. Some claim they were warned of deselection or that their campaign funding for the next election would depend on loyalty. One MP’s husband was allegedly contacted by a party official in a bid to pressure her to fall in line.

“This wasn’t just mishandled,” said one backbencher. “They were losing it — throwing around threats about elections, leadership changes, even calling people’s families.”

Reeves, rarely seen socialising with MPs, made a last-ditch appearance on the Commons terrace on Wednesday night to persuade rebels with rosé in hand. It didn’t work. The rebellion kept growing. And Starmer — away at G7 summits and rarely voting in the Commons — appeared detached from the panic in Parliament.

“Keir’s voted just seven times since the election,” one MP said. “He’s toast. A quarter of his MPs were ready to bring down his policy. That’s fatal.”

The episode has fuelled speculation about Starmer’s leadership, but it’s also intensified scrutiny on his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who many blame for the aggressive approach. His inner circle, once seen as the ultimate enforcers, are now described as panicking, divisive, and “overexcitable boys” blind to the building rebellion.

Advisers insist internal polling shows public support for reform. “If we can’t even pass moderate changes like this, how can we do anything serious?” said one. Others say the optics of a government defeated by its own MPs would have been catastrophic.

But MPs say this was never about public support or tough decisions — it was about being ignored. “We told them for months this would blow up,” said another. “You can’t cut benefits and claim it helps people work. And you can’t guarantee it won’t hurt the most vulnerable.”

Now, the air inside Labour is thick with recrimination — and fear of what’s next. “If they sack Morgan, it’s over,” warned one adviser. “We may as well hand the keys to Farage.”

Starmer’s team clung to their line until the very end. But when MPs finally spoke with one voice, it wasn’t dissent they delivered — it was a lesson in humility. “They’re in this mess,” one MP said bitterly, “because they were too arrogant to listen.”

THE GUARDIAN

Keir Starmer has admitted he failed to swiftly address the growing Labour rebellion over disability benefit reforms because he was preoccupied with foreign affairs, including Nato and Middle East tensions. Speaking to The Sunday Times, the prime minister said he wished he had reached compromises with MPs sooner but was tied up with G7 fallout and urgent Cobra meetings.

Starmer acknowledged mistakes, saying: “I’d have liked to get to a better position with colleagues sooner.” His late-night concessions last week protected current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients and increased Universal Credit’s health element in line with inflation. Yet dozens of Labour MPs remain sceptical, planning to press for further changes ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

The row marks Starmer’s third recent admission of misjudgement, signalling an effort to reset his leadership. Former rebel Louise Haigh said she may now back the bill, but stressed the need for Starmer to rebuild trust with MPs and the public alike.

FINANCIAL TIMES

The UK government faces a pivotal vote on welfare reforms this week, as Keir Starmer’s last-minute concessions fail to fully calm a major Labour rebellion. Despite changes to protect existing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients and soften Universal Credit reforms, dozens of Labour MPs remain unconvinced, warning of a “two-tier” system disadvantaging future claimants.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the government was in “a better position” but admitted trust must be rebuilt. More than 120 Labour MPs had previously signalled opposition, with around 80 needed to defeat the bill. Rebel MP Paula Barker said trust remains at “an all-time low,” as many await a Monday ministerial statement for clarity.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a £4.25bn funding gap after this and a prior winter fuel U-turn. A review of PIP criteria led by Stephen Timms is promised, alongside a “right to try” jobs safeguard. But as tensions mount, the vote remains on a knife-edge.