“Starmer’s Labour About Greed and Power,” Claims Duffield
In a shocking turn of events, Rosie Duffield, the MP for Canterbury, has delivered a scathing critique of the Labour Party and its leadership under Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking to the BBC in her first interview since resigning from Labour, Duffield has accused the party of prioritising “greed and power” over its core values and its voters.
Duffield’s public resignation has rocked the Labour back benches, sparking speculation that she may be the first of several disillusioned MPs who feel disconnected from the party’s current direction. A recent YouGov poll backs this sentiment, with nearly 60% of voters who supported Labour less than 100 days ago now expressing ‘voter remorse’.
A Damning Resignation and “Voter Remorse”
In her explosive resignation letter, Duffield criticised Sir Keir for his lack of principles, particularly lambasting the Prime Minister for accepting luxurious gifts while stripping away benefits from those in need. Duffield’s decision to sit as an independent MP follows the recent suspension of seven other Labour MPs who openly rebelled against the party’s stance on the two-child benefit cap.
“I am ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once-proud party,” Duffield wrote, accusing the leadership of “sleaze, nepotism, and apparent avarice”. Her letter, published in The Sunday Times, was sharply critical of the party’s elite, who she says have ignored the values of Labour’s grassroots supporters. “It is so profoundly disappointing to me as a Labour voter and an activist… to see this is what we have become,” she told the BBC.
Duffield’s resignation is a damning reflection on Starmer’s leadership. For a party traditionally seen as championing the working class, Duffield’s criticism that Labour has become out-of-touch and elitist may strike a nerve among long-standing party supporters.
Accusations of Exploitation
Duffield, who was first elected in 2017, accused the Labour Party of taking its voters and activists for granted, and condemned the leadership’s focus on power over policy. Her comments come amid rising tension within the party, which has seen MPs openly debate policies around benefit reforms and women’s rights.
While Duffield’s relationship with the leadership has been strained, particularly over transgender rights and the protection of women-only spaces, her criticisms reach far beyond policy disagreements. She claims that Labour has deviated from its moral compass, saying, “The leadership seemed more about greed and power than making a difference… I just can’t take any more.”
A Stark Divide in Labour
Since the change of government in July, Duffield has been one of the most vocal critics of the current leadership. Her decision to walk away so early into Sir Keir’s premiership has rattled party insiders, many of whom are bracing for further defections.
The controversy over donations, especially the acceptance of gifts worth tens of thousands of pounds, has further exacerbated divisions within the party. In one instance, Sir Keir was criticised for receiving over £20,000 worth of accommodation from Labour peer Lord Alli, allowing his son to revise for his GCSEs in peace.
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden expressed disappointment but not surprise over Duffield’s decision, suggesting that her disillusionment with Labour had long been brewing.
The Fallout and Broader Implications
Duffield’s resignation has reignited debate over means-tested benefits, particularly the winter fuel payment, which has recently been limited to low-income pensioners. The party’s decision to means-test this payment has faced fierce criticism from both internal factions and the public, placing further pressure on Sir Keir’s leadership.
Notably, Duffield’s resignation letter has not offered any of the niceties usually seen in political departures. Her criticisms are blunt, labelling the Labour leadership’s actions as “staggering and increasingly outrageous,” painting a picture of a party that has strayed far from its roots.
With the Conservative Party set to capitalise on Labour’s internal turmoil at their upcoming conference, Duffield’s move to the independent benches adds to growing concerns about Starmer’s ability to unite his party and deliver a vision that resonates with the British public.
A Party at a Crossroads
Labour now faces a pivotal moment. Duffield’s departure, and her cutting critique of the leadership, raises fundamental questions about the party’s identity and its future trajectory. As discontent simmers among both MPs and voters, the spotlight is firmly on Sir Keir to address the concerns of those who feel left behind by his government.
The political winds are changing, and Rosie Duffield’s decision to step away from Labour has cast a long shadow over Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure. Whether this marks the beginning of a broader rebellion within the party or a lone act of dissent, only time will tell.