SEVERAL senior Labour figures have been called out on social media for previously showing their support for Waspi women.
It comes after the UK Government announced it would not be paying any compensation in a statement from Liz Kendall on Tuesday afternoon.
The move has been met with widespread fury with Stephen Flynn calling for a vote in the House of Commons.
Here’s a look at eight times senior Labour figures backed Waspi women.
Keir Starmer
Images have been shared of the now-Prime Minister pictured at Scottish Labour conference in 2021 with two Waspi campaigners.
In the image, he’s holding a sign which supports “fair and fast compensation”.
📷: How times change! This is Keir Starmer pictured at Scottish Labour conference in 2021 with two Waspi campaigners holding a sign supporting "fair and fast compensation". Four years later, and as PM, he gives them nothing ... pic.twitter.com/FoCmaO4pcr
— James Walker (@James_L_Walker) December 17, 2024
Now, the Prime Minister has defended his decision not to compensate women affected by changes to their retirement age, saying doing so would “burden” the taxpayer.
Anas Sarwar
Scottish Labour’s leader has specifically been called out for a pledge he made in his 2017 leadership bid.
He said: “Under my leadership, Waspi women will finally receive the justice they deserve.”
Images have also been circulated of Sarwar showing support for Waspi campaigners with his MSP Paul O’Kane challenged on the comments made by the Scottish Labour leader in the past.
Rachel Reeves
Like the Prime Minister, Reeves claimed that paying compensation would be a burden on the taxpayer.
However, looking back at historic tweets made by the Chancellor, she too has shown support for Waspi women.
One, published on February 1, 2016, said: “Pleasure to speak in the state pension age debate and talk about women who are being treated so badly. Govt please listen.”
A separate post shortly before the 2019 General Election said: “On December 12 check what your candidate will do for women – on equal pay, maternity leave, and for 1950s Waspi women.”
Jackie Baillie
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader has also come in for criticism, with a video shared of her showing her support for the Waspi campaign in West Dunbartonshire.
In the video, Jackie Baillie said: “I’m really pleased to support the West Dunbartonshire Waspi group because for many women in our area, they’ve been caught up by the scandal that is the change to pensions made by the Conservative government.
Wee video for your viewing pleasure. ‘‘I am delighted to support the work of the @WASPI_Campaign in West Dunbartonshire & across the country.’’ Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie. #WASPIpic.twitter.com/lWcpKSenBY
— James Campbell (@J4m35c4mpb3ll) December 17, 2024
“So many women planning for retirement at a particular age were blown completely off course by the changes made by the government at the time.
“So, Waspi women across Scotland and in West Dunbartonshire have been campaigning to reverse these changes to give women justice with their pensions and I’m really pleased to support the local group.”
Liz Kendall
It was the Pensions Secretary who made the statement in Parliament on Tuesday saying compensation would not be provided.
Immediately after, an image was shared of her alongside a campaigner and holding a sign which said: “I will work with Waspi to identify and deliver a fair solution for all women affected.”
Reacting on Twitter/X, former SNP MP John Nicolson said: “Hold on. Wasn’t this the same Liz Kendall who, a short while ago, took part in photo ops with @WASPI_campaign women and pledged support and promised to deliver justice for them when Labour formed a government?”
SNP Westminster leader Flynn meanwhile described the Labour Government as “shameless” after the announcement was made.
Angela Rayner
On Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain programme, images were shared of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner alongside Waspi campaigners.
A video was also re-shared from 2019 with the BBC saying Labour “will compensate” Waspi women as it’s “their money”.
#GMB replaying the words of Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner in relation to the WASPI women. pic.twitter.com/sdpFtBokvw
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) December 18, 2024
Rayner promised a Labour government would “right that injustice” within five years and that “any government should act responsibly to these women”.
Michael Shanks
Shanks was first elected at the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election in 2023 before being re-elected in July.
He now serves as a minister in the Department of Energy and has also previously shown his support for Waspi women.
In a post from May 2017, he said: “Great to join some of the 243,900 @Waspi_Campaign women from across Scotland fighting for fairness – now let’s march.”
Kirsteen Sullivan
Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop shared an image of Kirsteen Sullivan, the MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow, alongside campaigners.
She is holding a sign which says: “I will work with Waspi women to deliver a fair remedy.”
Hyslop said: “Labour MPs, including our local Bathgate and Linlithgow MP, who have any integrity must oppose the Westminster UK Labour Government’s betrayal of the Waspi women.”
