A Storm Brewing Within the Party, Threatening to Derail Starmer's Leadership

Labour's Welfare Cuts Spark Anger

Labour leader Keir Starmer's pledge to cut welfare spending has angered some MPs within his own party. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall plans to introduce changes to the system in the spring, arguing that it needs to be made "more sustainable." However, dissenting voices feel that cutting back on welfare spending doesn't align with Labour's traditional position or their promises to voters.

Ms. Kendall has criticized the out-of-control benefits spending as a failure of the previous Conservative government, accusing them of failing to tackle the record number of people out of work due to long-term health conditions. She even suggested that some recipients of health and disability benefits were "taking the mickey," after a survey found that 49% of respondents didn't think they would ever be able to work again.

However, backbenchers have also called for "meaningful tweaks" to Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax raid on farmland, which saw protests from farmers. They argue that the policy unfairly targets those who inherit agricultural land and are responsible for producing food for the nation.

The government has defended its plans, stating that they are necessary to balance the budget and ensure the long-term sustainability of the welfare system. They have also committed significant funding to farming and flood defenses.