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Spectator (UK)Jul 10
UK: Labour Suspends 7 MPs Over Two-Child Benefit Cap Vote
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The Facts
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suspended seven Labour MPs on Tuesday after they voted against their party in favor of a Scottish National Party (SNP) amendment intended to end the country's two-child benefit cap.
After the motion was defeated by 363 votes to 103, Labour suspended Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain, Rebecca Long-Bailey, John McDonnell, and Zarah Sultana.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
While few within the party support the two-child cap, Labour has made it clear that it currently cannot afford to scrap the policy. Attempting to set the tone for the rest of his premiership, Starmer has sent a clear message that there will be consequences if his MPs fail to follow the party line.
Establishment-critical narrative
While it is no secret that money is scarce for the new Labour Government, there is simply no excuse for continuing a draconian policy that has wide-reaching impacts on the physical and mental health of children for the rest of their lives. Society will be worse off as long as the cap remains in place, damaging families up and down the country.