The first rebellion; what does it mean?

It’s been quite nice seeing notifications on my phone about divisions in the House of Commons just as I’m nodding off; without worrying, I’ve got 8 minutes to run to the Division Lobby. Last night saw the first rebellion in the House of Common’s and 7 Labour MP’s losing the Labour Whip. Which is quite an achievement since this is the first real week of Parliamentary business.

Now, rebelling is part and parcel of the House. Some people do it all the time, some pride themselves on never rebelling. It’s down to the individual, I like to think I achieved a happy medium.

Losing the Whip for rebelling is a significant thing, and I suspect this is a way of Sir Keir Starmer’s Whips Office flexing a bit of muscle. They have a huge majority, they don’t really need to worry about the Opposition Parties, their primary concern is the movements and voting of their own colleagues. Every political party is a coalition, and it’s difficult to keep all the plates spinning at the same time, but sometimes you have to put down a marker.

Ordinarily rebelling on an amendment wouldn’t result in such a significant sanction, but the Kings Speech is the Government’s agenda for that Parliamentary Session, it’s about confidence in HM Majesty’s Government.

Now all 7 of the now whipless MP’s are on the Left of Labour’s coalition, they won’t be missed by the Leadership very much. But it comes with risk, there are a number of left wing independents who were elected this time, and if they start to work together they could start to rock the boat.

But I suspect they’ll all be back soon, and have been a useful tool in the Whips office when talking to wavering MP’s: “you know the consequences?”.

BY GARY SAMBROOK, Managing Partner, Walk Through Walls