Robert Peston has posted to X the letter sent to dissenting MPs who voted against the two-child benefit cap.
The letter:
Re: Suspension of the Labour Whip
I am writing to notify you that I am suspending you from the Labour Whip due to your failure to comply with the whip and your decision to vote against the Party’s position on the King’s Speech.
The PLP Standing Orders state the following regarding the obligation of Labour Members to comply with the Whip:
“While the Party recognises the right of Members to abstain from voting in the House on matters of deeply held personal conviction, any such possible intention shall be intimated in advance and as soon as possible to the Chief Whip. This does not entitle Members to vote contrary to a decision of the Cabinet.”
I am therefore issuing you with a precautionary suspension under the Standing Orders of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Your suspension will initially be for six months. During this period, you are not suspended from the obligations of the whip. At the end of this period, I will make a judgement about restoring the whip based on your conduct during the suspension and your willingness to comply with the whip in the future.
If you wish to meet to discuss this, please contact the Government Whips’ Office to arrange a meeting.
I will report your suspension to the Cabinet, the NEC, the next meeting of both the Parliamentary Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Party and your CLP.
I will also send you a paper copy of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP
Government Chief Whip
https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1815829379886506493
