SCOTTISH Labour MPs are set to find themselves in a tight spot next week if the SNP succeed in forcing a vote on compensation for Waspi women.
Next Tuesday, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn will introduce a bill which, if passed, would require the UK Government to set up a compensation scheme for women who were unaware of changes to the state pension age.
Campaigners, who style themselves as Waspi women, want compensation for the difficulties these changes – which were rushed through by the Conservatives – have caused them.
An ombudsman report last year recommended they all be compensated between £1000 and £2950, which would cost the UK Government as much as £10 billion.
Despite promises made during their years in opposition – including an especially unfortunate photo-op by Liz Kendall (below), now Work and Pensions Secretary – Labour have ruled out any compensation for those affected.
But the matter is far from settled. Earlier this week, MSPs voted unanimously to call on the UK Government to compensate Waspi women.
This means that Scottish Labour MSPs can tell their constituents they did vote for Waspi compensation at the fast-approaching Holyrood election in 2026.
But the keener-eyed voters will be watching what their MPs do in Westminster.
Will they vote against the Government position and back the SNP’s bill?
Will they fall in line with Keir Starmer’s position and ignore the unmistakable message sent from Holyrood?
They could abstain – though it’s never a good look to be found missing in action when just six months ago you told people you were “sending a government” to Westminster.
In the grand scheme of things, Starmer still has the numbers to see off even a substantial rebellion involving Scottish Labour MPs and their comrades from the rest of the UK.
Scottish Labour MPs have three choices: defy the Government, ignore the Scottish Parliament, or pretend nothing is happening and abstain.
It's quite literally a lose-lose-lose scenario for them.
