Will the Labour rebellion against welfare cuts grow?

As successful as Keir Starmer has been on the world stage, he faces continuing challenges at home, including a substantial rebellion by his own MPs over the proposed reforms to disability benefits.

- SEAN O'GRADY

An unexpectedly severe drubbing at the local elections, in which Labour lost two-thirds of the seats it was defending, plus the Runcorn by-election, has concentrated minds. An ugly mood is developing on the Labour backbenches, where there is talk of revolt...

What's the evidence for a rebellion?

There's plenty of it. Two letters of protest have been signed by Labour MPs, one "public" and the other supposedly a "private" personal warning to the prime minister. Predictably, both have been published. The "public" version, which has 42 signatories, says planned restrictions on disability benefits are "impossible to support" and calls for a pause and change in direction (ie ditching the plans). The MPs include the usual suspects on the left, but also more centrist members, including some from the usually loyal Starmerite 2024 intake.

The private version, which has garnered even wider support among more than 80 Labour MPs, is less strident and complains that members will not be shown the full impact of the reforms until after a vote due next month. The letter will be sent to Labour's chief whip (and thus, the PM) early next week.