There’s drama in Labourland today as one backbencher appears to have had second thoughts about her stance on benefits payments – after the Get Britain Working group’s open letter went out with her name on it. The letter, which has called upon Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to introduce a ‘new social contract’ to get disability benefit claimants back to work, has ruffled feathers both with left-wing MPs and, er, one of its own signatories. Allison Gardner has taken to social media today to fume that her name ‘shouldn’t have been added’ to the petition and assure her constituents she has requested its removal. Talk about a reverse ferret, eh?
Slamming the note, Gardner raged:
My name shouldn’t have been added to that letter. When I was asked to sign, I made it clear that the wording and focus would have needed to change to better reflect the needs of those with severe disabilities and chronic illnesses who simply can’t work. I felt strongly that the struggles many face with work capability assessments, PIP applications, refusals, appeals and tribunals needed to be highlight and vocalised this. This was erroneously taken as consent to include my name on the letter.
I’m really sorry for any confusion or distress this has caused. Please rest assured that I will always stand up for those who are disabled, ill and unable to work. I’ve already asked for my name to be removed from the letter.
The irate backbencher joins the growing crowd of sceptics gearing up for a battle with the government over Rachel Reeves’ proposed welfare cuts – which could push over 2 million claimants currently off sick back to work. While the plans are supported by the letter’s now 35 signatories, dozens of left-wingers are planning to stage a rebellion. In a last-ditch attempt to convince the unconvinced, Sir Keir Starmer has invited all 404 Labour MPs to Downing Street for meetings on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the upcoming cuts. Will the PM manage to win over his doubters? If Gardner’s reaction is anything to go by, Mr S isn’t so sure…
A response from me on the Getting Britain Working letter pic.twitter.com/eCPGcMGc4U
— Dr Allison Gardner MP (@AllisonCGardner) March 12, 2025
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