‘Hostility to the Government’s decision has spread through the Labour benches, with MPs from the 2024 intake expressing criticism alongside left MPs’
By Ben Folley
Longest-serving woman MP Diane Abbott led criticism of the Starmer Government’s decision not to compensate WASPI women when she challenged the Prime Minister at the final PMQs of the year.
Hostility to the Government’s decision has spread through the Labour benches, with MPs from the 2024 intake expressing criticism alongside left MPs, suggesting the disquiet with the earlier decision to abolish the Winter Fuel Allowance has been compounded by this week’s statement.
The Work and Pensions Secretary of State Liz Kendall confirmed there would be no compensation in a statement on Tuesday. In response, Abbott reflected on the WASPI women’s ‘sustained and passionate’ campaign for justice, and asked the Prime Minister on Wednesday, ‘does the Prime Minister really understand how let down they feel today?’ In response, she received an assertion that compensating them would be a ‘burden’ on the taxpayer.
Abbott’s intervention followed hot on the heels of Liverpool MP Ian Byrne, who said, ‘I believe these women are owed compensation for the injustice done to them at the hands of the state’ and asked, ‘Will the Prime Minister give Members the opportunity to vote on whether they believe WASPI women are owed compensation?’
Abbott and Byrne were just the two Labour MPs able to raise the issue in Prime Minister’s Questions.
A host of other MPs have condemned the announcement.
Responding during Liz Kendall’s statement on the Tuesday, 2024 intake MP Brian Leishman for Alloa and Grangemouth said, ‘I have campaigned with WASPI women, as have many parliamentary colleagues, and this is an incredible let down for them. In my opinion, WASPI women certainly do not need words of disappointment and hollow statements. What they need is justice.’ He later released this video.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, the new MP for Poole, has said, ‘Even those most loyal of Labour MPs were dumbfounded’ by the announcement.
Other new intake MPs have also spoken out.
Terry Jermy, who narrowly defeated former PM Liz Truss in a four-way marginal in South West Norfolk, said, ‘I urge you to reconsider the Government’s decision not to award those affected any compensation, which goes against the independent PHSO recommendations.’
Cat Eccles, the MP for Stourbridge, said ‘I’m deeply disappointed with the government’s refusal to compensate WASPI [women]. I still support fast and fair compensation for WASPI women – as recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The DWP’s handling of changes to women’s pension age left many financially unprepared. This historic injustice should be put right.’
And Jonathan Brash, the new MP for Hartlepool, wrote to the DWP Secretary, to say, ‘The decision flies in the face of the recommendations of the Ombudsman report, previous statements of support from the Labour Party and public expectations of justice.’
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, said, ‘When I told the WASPI women that I stand with them, I meant it’, Barking and Dagenham MP Margaret Mullane said, ‘I have always supported the campaign for fair compensation and will continue to do so’, and Lee Barron, the new Labour MP for Corby, said , ‘I will work with colleagues to bring change and justice.’
Whilst opposition MPs highlighted repeat instances of the Prime Minister, Chancellor and DWP Secretary joining photo opportunities with WASPI campaigners before the General Election, criticism from other left MPs was widespread.
Richard Burgon said, ‘Today’s decision is totally wrong’ and ‘I will continue to stand with the WASPI women to get the fair compensation that they so deserve.’
Andy McDonald said, in a letter to the Prime Minister, ‘I believe the Govt has made the wrong decision and should reconsider.’
Other critics included John McDonnell, Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Kate Osborne, Rachael Maskell, Jon Trickett, Nadia Whittome, and Clive Lewis.
Some commentators are asserting that should there be a vote in Parliament, that up to 100 Labour MPs would consider voting against the Government.
Such a rebellion would far outstrip any that have already occurred since the General Election.
But there is a clear sense of frustration which has seen inaction on the Two Child Limit, the decision to abolish the universal Winter Fuel Payment, rising energy bills, and recent public sector pay submissions that fail to address pay restoration that together means there is growing disquiet amongst Labour MPs.
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This mob have no right to call themselves Labour, Poundland tories