UK Lawmaker Resigns from Labour Party Over PM’s ’Hypocrisy’

The new government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced its first resignation on Saturday as lawmaker Rosie Duffield announced her departure from the Labour Party, accusing him of "hypocrisy" regarding his acceptance of free gifts.

In a scathing resignation letter, Duffield condemned Starmer for implementing "cruel and unnecessary" policies. She expressed her outrage over the Prime Minister's acceptance of over £100,000 in gifts and hospitality while simultaneously cutting the £300 annual winter heating payment for approximately 10 million pensioners.

"I am deeply ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party," she wrote, highlighting the "sleaze, nepotism, and apparent avarice" that she believes have characterised Starmer's leadership.

Duffield described it as "staggering" that a leader could indulge in luxurious gifts while urging others to tighten their belts. She also criticized Starmer's decision to uphold a cap on benefits designed to assist families with children, stating, "Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives' two-child limit on benefit payments, which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses that cost more than most people can fathom—this is entirely undeserving of the title of Labour Prime Minister."

Going forward, Duffield stated she would serve as an independent MP, "guided by my core Labour values."

The controversy surrounding Starmer's acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors has overshadowed the party's first conference since their return to government. Labour achieved a landslide victory over the Conservatives in July after 14 years in opposition. However, instead of celebrating their triumph at the recent conference, ministers found themselves on the defensive, facing criticism from their typically supportive unions.

Although all gifts received by Starmer were declared and complied with parliamentary rules, records indicate he accepted more than £100,000 ($132,000) in gifts and hospitality since December 2019—more than any other lawmaker. Additionally, it was revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had borrowed a New York apartment for a holiday, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had accepted around £7,500 worth of clothing.

Reeves and the Labour Party have defended the elimination of the £300 payment to many pensioners, citing a need to address a £22 billion "black hole" left by the Conservatives.

In her letter, Duffield criticized Starmer's "managerial and technocratic approach" and lamented his lack of basic political instincts, which she claimed had "come crashing down on us as a party after we worked so hard, promised so much, and waited a long 14 years to be mandated by the British public."

Starmer faced embarrassment at the conference after losing a symbolic vote demanding the reversal of the controversial policy. Although the vote was non-binding, it underscored the strong feelings among activists and union supporters, with delegates narrowly backing a union motion calling for the cut to be rescinded.

"I do not understand how our new Labour Government can cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners and leave the super-rich untouched," remarked Sharon Graham, General Secretary of the Unite union.