Starmer’s Welfare Overhaul Hangs in Balance Ahead of Vote

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is girding for what could be the most consequential vote of his premiership, with dozens of Labour rebels expecting to vote against the government’s welfare overhaul despite huge concessions to push it through parliament.

Members of Parliament are debating the legislation in the House of Commons on Tuesday, after the speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, determined they should vote on an amendment designed to sink the bill that’s garnered the signatures of 39 MPs from the governing Labour Party. While a partial government U-turn brought that down from 126 publicly declared rebels last week, party enforcers fear the number could rise as high as 50. That would be a significant challenge to Starmer’s authority, albeit not enough to defeat the government.