Today’s Labour Party suspensions include MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman.
Leishman, who was elected for Labour in Alloa and Grangemouth in last year’s general election, has had the Labour whip withdrawn along with three other Labour MPs, after voting against the government’s welfare changes.
47 Labour MPs in total voted against the bill, and the four suspended have been called “persistent rebels” according to a Labour source that spoke to The Guardian today.
Leishman provided this statement on his suspension:
“I am a proud Labour member, and I remain committed to the party.
“I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving.
“I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.
“It is the honour of my life to be the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, and my priority remains representing and fighting for constituents, whether they voted for me or not.”
The welfare changes, that were voted through at the start of this month, were voted for by 355 MPs, including Stirling’s local MP, Chris Kane, details of which can be found here.
For more information on which MPs voted for the recent welfare reforms, visit TheyWorkForYou.com to search up your local MP’s voting record.
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