Rachael Maskell MP reacts to Labour Party suspension

The York Central MP, who spearheaded plans to halt the government’s welfare reforms, said she could “not be more committed” the Labour Party despite losing the party whip.

Sir Keir Starmer suspended Ms Maskell as well as MPs Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff during a purge of troublesome backbenchers on Wednesday (July 16).

Ms Maskell said she has been a Labour member for more than 34 years and was “sad at the decision” to suspend her from the parliamentary party “for simply seeking the very best for others”.

But she said: “I seek to want to build a bridge with the party, the prime minister and the government.”

Ms Maskell said it had been a “torrid time” in Parliament.

Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central (Image: Supplied) She said Sir Keir Starmer had been wrong to suspend the whip from her and three colleagues: “On this occasion, I don’t think he’s got it right.”

“There’s got to be dialogue, and that’s how we build bridges,” she told the BBC. “We move forward together, and that’s how we’ve got to move forward as a party, but ensure that our finger is on the pulse of the country.

“And I think MPs who went through those lobbies were incredibly stressed, not wanting to vote against the government, and for some people that didn’t vote at all, it was a very stressed vote.

“There’s got to be learning from that. It’s been a torrid time in Parliament because of, obviously, a very busy year, but now we’ve got the summer recess I just want people to stop and reflect and to think about how we can be stronger as a party moving forward, and I want to support the government with that.”

‘I want this Labour government to be the very best ever’

Ms Maskell had described the government’s bill for welfare changes as “Dickensian cuts which belong to a different era and a different party”.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Ms Maskell said she was “coming from a good place” following her rebellion over the reforms, adding: “I want this Labour government to be the very best ever, as my community deserves every opportunity.”

Ms Maskell, who has been the York Central MP since 2015, said she recognised “how the world is tearing itself apart and how we inherited an economy in tatters and public services on their knees from the Tories whose self-interest failed so many”.

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“We must therefore be able to debate how we rebuild our country so all can take pride in all they do, where they live and who they are,” Ms Maskell said.

“This is why I have stood up for disabled people, as they too must find their place and have their voices heard and I’ve used every opportunity to reach into government to be their advocate.

“Having fought for disabled people all my life, first as a senior physiotherapist, then as a national trade union official for equalities, and now as an MP, I know that they are often left out of the conversation, but I am heartened that Labour is now committed to ensure that disabled people are included.”