At least 25 Labour MPs are already planning to vote against the Government’s welfare cuts, announced last week. This number is set to grow and may well become the largest rebellion against Keir Starmer’s Government to date.

The cuts to benefits to disabled people in particular has unleashed a storm of protest, which has seen prominent members, including former Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay, resign from the Party.

Many Labour MPs who have not previously been critical of the Government have delcard their opposition. It’s good to see MPs speak out, but more must be urged to take a stand. To that end, Momentum are urging members to use its lobbying tool to write to their Labour MP urging them to vote against any cuts to welfare if they go to a vote – and to oppose through any other channels.

Ian Byrne MP at yesterday’s event

Speaking at yesterday’s packed Socialism or Barbarism event organised by Arise -A festival of Ideas, anti-poverty campaigner Ian Byrne MP said this was “a hugely important pivotal moment for our movement and we’ve got to make the Labour Government see sense.”

Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP agreed, saying the cuts to disability benefit were barbaric and that “you cold cut the disillusionment with a knife.”

Speaking about the Arise event, he tweeted: “There’s something definitely building. Every session at the numerous workshops at the Arise festival of Left Ideas is packed but more importantly the strength of feeling against the disability benefit cuts is mobilising people and forging new alliances to demand a change of policy.”

He added: “There’s a growing consensus across all wings of Labour Party, combined with deep anxiety  in the trade union movement and our political base in communities across the country that the disability cuts are wrong and there has to be a U-turn sooner rather than later.”

Tempting though it may be for members to walk out in disgust, now more than ever, it’s vital socialists stay in the Labour Party and join forces with trade unions to challenge the Labour right’s betrayal of the fundamental principles of the Party. Momentum have produced a briefing, Why Socialists should be in the Labour Party, to persuade comrades to stay in, join, or rejoin Labour.

Photo of Ian Byrne MP by Bryn Griffiths