Minister Says Labour Whip Who Quit Over Welfare Cuts Has 'Done The Honourable Thing'

Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy claimed a government whip who just quit over the government’s welfare cuts has “done the right thing”.

Vicky Foxcroft resigned on Thursday night over Labour’s plans to slash the welfare budget by £5 billion, in a major blow to Keir Starmer.

She is the first Labour frontbencher to quit over the controversial proposed cuts to benefits which will be voted on by the Commons on July 1.

It comes after more than 100 Labour MPs wrote to the government’s chief whip opposing the plans to cut Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit.

Speaking to Times Radio on Friday, Nandy downplayed the impact of her departure and warded off fears of further resignations.

She said: “I know Vicky very well, and she is the only frontbencher that I’ve had any discussions with about her resigning.

“I know she really wrestled with the decision. There’s no disagreement between us on the principle of wanting to help people who can work, get work, protecting those who can’t ever work and making sure that we reform the system so it works for everybody.”

She said the disagreement came down to the “practicalities” of the policy.

“I think she’s done the honourable thing. If you can’t stick with collective responsibility in government, you have to resign,” Nandy said.

“It will enable her to have a voice and she, as the former shadow disabilities minister, is very keen to use it.

“I think most Labour MPs, including her, agree with the principles of the reforms we are making. We had too many people being written off for far too long.”

She said every MP has to “look to their conscience and vote the way they believe is right” when they vote on the proposals.

In her resignation letter published on X, Foxcroft suggested it was her former job as the shadow minister for disabled people which influenced her decision.

“I had no idea the impact this role would have on me,” the MP for Lewisham North said. 

While accusing the Tories of leaving “many in poverty” and acknowledging the “difficult economic times”, she said it now seems that this Labour government will not introduce “the changes I desperately wanted to see” within the UK.

She wrote: “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.”