MP Rosie Duffield says Labour supporters are being ‘taken for granted’

Rosie Duffield, a former Labour MP who stepped away from her party's leadership on Friday, expressed her belief that the party's supporters are being "thoroughly overlooked."

In her resignation letter, Ms. Duffield criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for maintaining the two-child benefit limit and for means-testing winter fuel payments. She also expressed disapproval of his response to the controversy regarding gifts received by him and other high-ranking Labour officials.

In an interview with the BBC for the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Ms. Duffield expressed that the party holds a special place in her heart, but she has lost confidence in its leadership.

"We all believed in Keir Starmer and a Labour government, but it seems that voters, activists, and MPs are being ignored and treated with total disrespect," she stated.

"As a supporter of the Labour Party and an activist, it truly saddens me to witness how far we've fallen."

She also expressed to the broadcaster that it appears the party leadership is focused “more on selfishness and control rather than creating a positive impact,” saying, “I simply can’t handle it anymore.”

The relationship between Ms. Duffield and the Labour leadership has been tense for some time, especially regarding the topic of transgender rights.

In her letter, she stated: "It’s unacceptable for someone with significantly more wealth than most people to support the Conservatives’ policy that limits benefits for families with more than two children, effectively trapping many kids in poverty. At the same time, this person accepts lavish gifts like designer suits and glasses that are worth more than what many of those families can even imagine. Such behavior does not deserve the title of Labour Prime Minister."

The MP proceeded to express dissatisfaction with Sir Keir's leadership of the party, claiming that he had "rarely interacted" with the backbench MPs and was lacking in "fundamental political skills and instincts."

She expressed, "The corruption, favoritism, and clear greed are beyond any limits. I feel deeply embarrassed by the actions of you and your close associates, which have damaged and shamed our once honorable party."

In her letter, she expressed her plan to serve as an Independent Member of Parliament, emphasizing that her actions would be influenced by her fundamental Labour beliefs.

A Labour MP expressed relief at Ms. Duffield's departure, calling her “toxic.” They commented, “While it’s true that the leader’s office has a long-standing insular attitude and could improve their communication with the Parliamentary Labour Party, at least they seem to be making a good decision by ignoring her.”

Ms. Duffield, who was first elected in 2017, has chosen to leave the Labour Party after the suspension of seven other Labour MPs. These MPs defied party lines by supporting a motion aimed at eliminating the two-child benefit cap during the King's Speech. With her departure, the number of Independent MPs has now reached 14.

Ms. Duffield chose not to cast her vote on the suggested change to the King's Speech, nor did she participate in a recent Conservative proposal aimed at stopping the reduction of the winter fuel payment.

In her resignation letter, she took aim at the Prime Minister for appointing individuals who lack "demonstrated political ability and any prior experience in Parliament." She pointed out that some had been "quickly given a role in the shadow cabinet without going through the typical process of developing their political skills as backbenchers."

Sir Keir became a shadow home office minister in 2015, just two months after his election as an MP. He subsequently assigned several MPs who were elected in 2024 to junior ministerial roles.

One of the individuals mentioned, Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer, is the child of Lord Falconer, who was Sir Keir’s first shadow attorney general. Meanwhile, Liam Conlon, who is the son of Sue Gray, the chief of staff at Number 10, has been appointed as a parliamentary aide at the Department for Transport.

Candidates for conservative leadership criticized the Prime Minister following Ms. Duffield's resignation. Former security minister Tom Tugendhat argued that this situation demonstrated that Sir Keir's administration was focused on self-interest. Meanwhile, leading candidate Robert Jenrick claimed that the Government was already falling apart, overwhelmed by their blatant hypocrisy.