LABOUR have been called out for their “arrogance” after the party refused to put a minister on Sky News after suspending seven MPs for voting to keep the two-child benefit cap and associated rape clause in place.
On Tuesday night, Keir Starmer saw off an SNP bid to axe the two-child cap with almost all his MPs falling in line, despite Scottish Labour's claims to oppose the policy.
Starmer suspended seven Labour MPs for voting to end the benefit cap, leading to strong criticism of his new government.
On Sky News on Wednesday, Kay Burley said she had been preparing for an interview with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Less than 3 weeks into the new govt & Labour refuse to put up a minister for the morning media round. pic.twitter.com/6AYGHmkqzC
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) July 24, 2024
She added that Labour should be “held to account by the people that have elected them” as she accused the party of “running for the hills”.
Burley asked presenter Wilfred Frost what he made of the party’s refusal to appear on the programme, to which he said: “It seems, given the news flow and they’ve given you no explanation, that that is exactly what’s happening – running for the hills.
“And I don’t think that sends out a particularly strong message and it’s also, as we know better than most in this business, it leaves you hanging without much else to do instead so it’s rather disrespectful on top of that.”
He added that it was on Labour to back up their own message of suspending MPs for not following the party line.
“It’s rather disrespectful”@SkyNews not impressed at @YvetteCooperMP’s no-show on the media round this morning. Barely three weeks in and Labour’s front bench are already running from media scrutiny around their decision to suspend 7 MPs. pic.twitter.com/OjdsSoOy8U
— Ben Obese-Jecty MP (@BenObeseJecty) July 24, 2024
Former SNP MP Stewart Hosie also commented on Labour’s snub on Twitter/X, saying: “It normally takes about a decade for Labour to become this arrogant/complacent/incompetent.
“This time… three weeks.”
SNP MP Chris Law meanwhile said it was “quite revealing” that Labour are “running away from questions” about why seven MPs have been suspended.
The National has approached the Labour Party for further comment.
