Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?

Labour MPs from marginal seats who are well organised and want to represent their constituents' views are creating a perfect storm for Keir Starmer

Photo composite illustration of Commons chamber benches filled with noisy megaphones
Backbenchers are less inclined to be loyal to their party leadership and more likely to speak out on key issues
(Image credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / Shutterstock / Reuters)

Tonight's expected rebellion by backbench Labour MPs could be the first of many as Keir Starmer struggles to keep control of his party in power.

The government was forced into a U-turn on the welfare bill last week and offered a number of concessions, but No. 10 still fears it could have a major rebellion on its hands as many MPs are saying the changes do not go far enough.

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 Sorcha Bradley is a writer at The Week and a regular on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. She worked at The Week magazine for a year and a half before taking up her current role with the digital team, where she mostly covers UK current affairs and politics. Before joining The Week, Sorcha worked at slow-news start-up Tortoise Media. She has also written for Sky News, The Sunday Times, the London Evening Standard and Grazia magazine, among other publications. She has a master’s in newspaper journalism from City, University of London, where she specialised in political journalism.