Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a Government Whip as she "cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits"

Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a Government Whip as she "cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits".

Ms Foxcroft posted to X:

With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip.

Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.

Ms Foxcroft's letter in full:

Dear Prime Minister,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to resign as a Government Whip.

I would like to start by saying what an honour it has been to serve as one of your whips under a Labour government. I am proud of so many of our achievements so far: the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Employment Rights Bill, renationalising the railways, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, free breakfast clubs and free school meals, the National Youth Strategy, record investment in the NHS and £39 billion to build 1.5 million new homes, many of which will be social and affordable housing.

Until the last general election, I had only ever been an opposition MP. We always knew government would be tough, especially given the economic situation we inherited from the Conservatives, but we also know that in government we can achieve so much more.

There is much to be proud of in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. Indeed, I proudly promoted many of its proposed reforms as Shadow Minister for Disabled People and during the general election campaign. These include: allowing people to try work without fear of having to go through the assessment process again, reforming and modernising the broken Access to Work system, disability employment gap reporting and ensuring everyone has access to a supportive work coach so no one is written off.

We all know that we also have a benefits system that is in desperate need of reform.

When you asked me to be the Shadow Minister for Disabled People in 2020, I had no idea the impact this role would have on me. I knew life was difficult for disabled people, but via my engagement with disabled people and their organisations I would learn that it was even tougher than I had imagined.

The last Conservative government left many in poverty and living life in fear of losing their support, not getting access to the right medical care, not having suitable housing and not being able to participate fully in society. The real and ongoing distress was palpable.

I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times, but I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work. I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution.

I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people’s finances.

I am incredibly proud to have served as part of the first Labour government in 14 years and hope that Ministers will revisit these reforms so that I can continue to support the government in delivering for the people of this country.

Best regards,

Vicky Foxcroft

https://twitter.com/vickyfoxcroft/status/1935781286305583373