Benefits Claimant in Big Trouble as Keir Starmer Pushes Ahead with Shocking Plan Despite Backlash

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing significant backlash from within his own party as he pushes ahead with measures to cut Britain’s welfare bill by £5 billion. The decision has sparked a wave of resignations among local Labour councillors, who accuse the government of targeting the country’s most vulnerable citizens to balance the books. 

The controversy comes after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall unveiled the proposed cuts, which include freezing incapacity benefits until 2030. Starmer, who has already faced criticism for scrapping Winter Fuel Payments, sat alongside Kendall as she outlined the plans. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from both grassroots members and Labour MPs, with some warning of a potential rebellion. 

 

The backlash has been particularly severe at the local level, where councillors are resigning in protest. Peter Lowe, the former Labour leader of Dudley Council, announced his resignation after 41 years as a party member. In a statement, Lowe said, “I cannot in all honesty be consistent to my principles, or the community I serve, if I choose my party over the people I was elected to represent.” 

He added, “If it’s wrong for the Tories to be attacking the most vulnerable in our community in Dudley, then it must be wrong for my government to be doing the same. To be associated with this attack is not something I can be part of.” 

Doncaster Council is also bracing for resignations, with some members reportedly finding it “increasingly untenable” to support Starmer’s cost-cutting measures. The Corbyn-supporting Momentum group has urged its members to remain within the party to pressure the leadership, but the discontent is growing. 



In the House of Commons, Starmer faced fierce criticism from his own MPs. Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott accused the Prime Minister of “balancing the books on the backs of Britain’s poorest and most vulnerable.” Richard Burgon, a Labour MP who was briefly suspended last year for rebelling against the party, warned of the “mother of all rebellions” if the cuts go ahead. 

Starmer has defended the reforms, describing them as “moral” and necessary to create a sustainable welfare system. A Labour spokesperson said, “Labour inherited a broken welfare system from the Conservatives, which risked a generation of young people being written off and millions of people who want to work not getting the support they need. Labour will deliver a social security system that is fairer, sustainable, and provides vital support to those who need it most.” 

 

The internal unrest comes as Labour prepares for local elections on May 1. While Electoral Calculus predicts that Starmer’s party will lose only around 50 wards in the 2025 elections, there are concerns that the lack of enthusiasm among grassroots supporters could hurt Labour’s campaign efforts. 

In Doncaster, where Labour has held power for 50 years, the party faces a potential challenge from Reform UK, which could capitalize on the discontent over welfare cuts. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing fallout from Labour’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has already led to councillor resignations in areas like Oxford, Blackburn, Oldham, and Burnley. 



Starmer’s leadership is being tested as he attempts to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to support vulnerable citizens. While he has managed to weather previous waves of resignations, the growing discontent over welfare cuts suggests that the Prime Minister may face an uphill battle to maintain party unity. 

As the local elections approach, Starmer will need to address the concerns of both his MPs and grassroots members if he hopes to avoid further defections and secure Labour’s position in key areas. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Prime Minister can navigate these challenges and deliver on his promise of a fairer, more sustainable welfare system.