Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield Resigns Labour Whip Over Leadership Criticism

Canterbury Member of Parliament (MP), Rosie Duffield, has announced her resignation from the Labour whip, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership, specifically targeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In her resignation letter, Duffield condemned Starmer’s policies as “hypocrisy” and labelled them as “cruel and unnecessary.”

Ms Duffield criticized the Labour leader’s decision to uphold the Conservative-implemented two-child benefit cap and the means-testing of winter fuel payments. She also accused Starmer of embracing expensive personal gifts. “Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments, which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour Prime Minister,” Duffield wrote.

The relationship between Duffield and Labour’s leadership has been difficult, particularly surrounding the contentious issue of transgender rights. Duffield expressed dismay at Starmer’s management style, suggesting that he had not “regularly engaged” with backbench MPs and criticized his political instincts. She stated, “The sleaze, nepotism, and apparent avarice are off the scale. I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party.”

Her decision to depart from Labour follows the suspension of seven other MPs who opposed the party line during the King’s Speech vote concerning the two-child benefit cap, raising the count of Independent MPs to 14. Despite the controversy, Duffield confirmed her intention to represent as an Independent MP, guided by her “core Labour values.”

While Duffield accused Starmer of promoting individuals lacking political experience to key positions, she also pointed out instances of nepotism within the party. Sir Keir Starmer has previously made swift appointments, such as positioning Hamish Falconer, son of his first shadow attorney general, and Liam Conlon, son of Number 10 chief of staff Sue Gray, into positions shortly after their elections.