Four Members of Parliament who were suspended by the Labour Party have been reinstated after holding discussions with the Chief Whip. Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan, and Rachael Maskell, who were all newly elected last year, had faced suspension in July due to repeated breaches of party discipline.
Following a review of their recent behavior, the Labour whip has been restored to all four MPs. They were part of a group of Labour backbenchers who opposed government plans in July to cut disability benefits, a move that was later scrapped after a significant backlash.
In a statement, Rachael Maskell expressed gratitude for the reinstatement of the whip and reaffirmed her commitment to Labour values, emphasizing her dedication to advocating for those in need and pursuing justice. She vowed to continue serving her constituents in York diligently as their Labour and Cooperative MP.
Brian Leishman, representing Alloa and Grangemouth, highlighted the importance of resolving political disagreements and expressed pride in being a member of the Labour Party. He stressed the significance of having the whip restored for both himself and the local community he serves.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, shared his satisfaction at regaining the Labour whip after being part of the Labour and trade union movement for four decades. He reiterated his dedication to working for his constituents and championing Labour values focused on addressing poverty and promoting social justice.
Chris Hinchliff welcomed his reinstatement and mentioned having positive discussions with the new chief whip in recent months. He reiterated his commitment to serving the communities of North East Hertfordshire and supporting Labour’s mission of prioritizing people and the environment over profit.