Labour MP, Richard Burgon, warned that Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves could face the “mother of all rebellions” over welfare policy if they do not rethink cuts to disability benefits.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor could face having “a big rebellion on their hands” over the controversial move to balance the books, Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, has said.
Burgon, a former shadow justice secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, told Times Radio there were “plenty” of Labour MPs “right across the board” who are extremely concerned about Reeves’ £4.8bn squeeze on welfare announced at Wednesday’s Spring Statement.
Burgon told the broadcaster: “If the government doesn’t drop it, I’ll vote against it.
“Plenty of people right across the board are really concerned. Plenty of MPs raised their concerns in a statement in Parliament yesterday… but there are many more MPs than people think who are really concerned about this.”
Petition
Now he has launched a petition to fight back against his own party’s plans.
The petition reads…
“This petition, demanding a Wealth Tax instead of devastating cuts to disability support, will be presented in the House of Commons before any votes on welfare cuts.
“We oppose the Government’s plan to balance the books by targeting disabled people and the most disadvantaged in our society.
“Slashing disability benefits instead of taxing extreme wealth is a political choice—and it is the wrong choice.
“Instead, we believe that the very wealthiest should be made to pay their fair share.
“A 2% Wealth Tax on assets over £10 million could raise up to £24 billion per year. That’s far more than the £5 billion the Government claims it will “save” by cutting key financial support for disabled people.
“We call on the Government to abandon these cruel cuts and, instead of punishing the poorest, to implement a Wealth tax on the very wealthiest.”
Richard on X
He wrote on X: “I’ve launched this petition calling for wealth taxes, not disability support cuts. I’ll present this in Parliament ahead of any vote on these cruel cuts – as part of the campaign we need to get as many MPs as possible to vote down these cuts.”
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