Discussion on Labour Party discipline, potential rebellion, and Conservative Party leadership dynamics

Three weeks in for the new government and we have had our first Labour rebellion. In a vote last night on an SNP amendments to axe the two child benefit cap, seven Labour MPs revolted and have subsequently lost the Labour whip.

Parliament’s new awkward squad includes some familiar faces of the Labour left, such as John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana. The cast list is such that it’s unlikely Keir Starmer’s inner circle will lose much sleep about these MPs being without the whip for six months. The bigger question is, will they actually get it back? 

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. 

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.