Starmer ‘in hiding’ as rebels join picket lines
Four frontbenchers among prominent Labour figures defying leader’s call to stay away from demonstrations
‘The purpose of a strike is to cause disruption and make people see the value of the jobs the striking workers carry out’
SIR KEIR STARMER was defied by four frontbenchers who joined picket lines yesterday, as he was accused of “hiding” over the rail strikes.
The Labour leader is at odds with his deputy Angela Rayner and now faces having to sack the quartet of rebels.
Scottish and Welsh Labour distanced themselves from his stance on the walkout as at least 23 MPS ignored a plea for them to “show leadership” and instead joined in with the protests. But Sir Keir remained silent, not making a single public statement yesterday. In contrast, Ms Rayner offered her full-throated support for the industrial action.
“Workers have been left with no choice. No one takes strike action lightly. I will always defend their absolute right to do so for fairness at work,” she said.
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, also made a big show of backing the unions by joining a demonstration in Edinburgh.
Charlotte Nichols, the MP for Warrington North, praised his “leadership” in a comparison to Sir Keir, adding: “We should be unequivocal in standing up for railway workers.”
Andy Mcdonald, a former shadow transport secretary, said the Labour leader’s refusal to support the action was a source of “shame”. In an article for the Left-wing Tribune magazine, he criticised the decision as “both politically foolish and a denial of the very reason we exist”. Sharon Graham, the boss of the Unite union, Labour’s biggest financial backer, added: “You don’t lead by hiding. No one respects that.”
Tory MPS leapt on Sir Keir’s silence with Simon Clarke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, accusing him of being “invisible” as the country was plunged into chaos.
Paul Howell, an environment minister, added: “Labour MPS proudly stand on picket lines and Starmer has gone into hiding. So, where’s Keir Starmer?”
Kate Osborne, a parliamentary private secretary to shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle, joined workers in Bromley, south London.
Paula Barker, a PPS to shadow defence secretary John Healey, also appeared at a demonstration at London Victoria station.
Navendu Mishra, a Labour whip responsible for keeping discipline in the party, attended the same picket line.
Alex Sobel, a shadow environment minister, was also photographed on a picket line at Tottenham Court Road.
The quartet are set to be disciplined next week once the strikes are over, and all may lose their jobs. “As far as I’m aware, I’m still in my position. If I am asked to resign, then I will,” Ms Osborne told LBC radio.
Ms Barker said she “wouldn’t be doing my job” if she didn’t attend the picket. “The purpose of a strike is to cause disruption and make people see the value of the jobs the striking workers carry out,” she added.
Former shadow cabinet ministers Diane Abbott and Rebecca Long-bailey as well as Mr Mcdonnell were among the backbenchers to attend protests.
Sir Keir’s instruction to stay away from the demonstrations sparked a backlash within the party.
Richard Burgon, a former shadow justice secretary, added: “No Labour MP should be sacked or disciplined for showing solidarity with workers.”
A government source said the internal row was evidence of an “embarrassing breakdown of shadow cabinet discipline”.
But a Labour insider insisted the vast majority within the party supported Sir Keir’s stance because “he’s not letting us fall into the Tory trap”.
A party spokesman added: “Unlike the Government, our focus is firmly on the public. The Tories are in charge, and they failed to fix it. The responsibility for this week’s chaos lies with them.”