Labour civil war erupts as MPs savage Keir Starmer over WASPI ‘denial and delay’ | Politics | News

Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir Starmer to backtrack on the “severe mistake” of not compensating the 3.6 million WASPI women during a Commons debate today.

More than 50 MPs showed up to demand a vote delivering financial redress to those affected by State Pension age changes. Furious Labour MPs piled into the debate, saying their “jaws dropped onto the floor” when they heard WASPI women would not be compensated.

After a decade-long campaign, Labour announced last month that the women born in the 1950s would not receive “fair compensation”.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, said: “What is the point of an apology without redress… There was a severe mistake by the Government, thousands suffered as a result and so compensation has to be paid.

“People voted for a Labour Government to act in a more compassionate way than its Conservative predecessor, and we still have the opportunity not to let them down.”

Multiple politicians have now rallied behind the calls of campaigners for the decision on compensation to be put before Parliament, given the Parliamentary Ombudsman asked MPs to intervene in order to deliver justice.

Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI,) has blasted Sir Keir’s “blatant denial and delay of justice” as she continues to campaign.

She said: “Labour MPs are in agreement with those across the Commons and the country who are outraged at Starmer’s blatant denial and delay of justice. The Government has made a political choice to continue to turn its back on 1950s-born women by ignoring the orders of the independent ombudsman.

“As dozens of MPs have again delayed today, it is now up to Parliament to decide how a fair compensation scheme can be delivered. Meanwhile, all options remain on the table to ensure those affected see the justice they deserve.”

Following the government’s decision to not redress WASPI women last month, Conservative MP Sir John Hayes secures today’s Commons debate by saying, “WAPSI women deserve better”.

Dozens of MPs have since voiced their support for comp sensation as Independent MP Richard Burgon said the Government’s decision “left his jaw on the floor”.

Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool, said he “cannot and will not abandon WASPI women.” A fellow Labour MP, Emma Lewell Buck, said: “An injustice is an injustice. The PHSO was very clear that Parliament must make the final decision, yet Parliament hasn’t been allowed to.

“The fight for fair and fast compensation has my steadfast support because my words and my promises matter to me, [my constituents] put me here, and I will always put them first because the day I don’t, I no longer deserve to be their voice in this place.”

An overwhelming 78% of the British public believe the PM has broken his word after previously signing a pledge which read, “I support fair and fast compensation for 1950s women,” research commissioned by WASPI shows

The campaign group is now calling for the Government to allow MPs a binding vote on compensation, as recommended by the Ombudsman, who laid the report before MPs.

This was due to a “very significant concern that the injustice identified will go unremedied” if left in the hands of the Government.