A Christian MP suspended from the Labour Party for voting against cuts to welfare has been welcomed back into the fold.

Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, told Premier Christian News it’s “great” to be “back home”.

“I’m Labour through and through,” she said. “I’ve been a member of the party for 34 years, so it felt so wrong to not be included. I really look forward to getting on with the team now, to ensure that we are supporting people across the country.”

Maskell said she prayed about her stance on the welfare vote, but felt she had to stick to her core values.

She described her period of suspension as “difficult".

“It never changed the determination I have to do what’s right for my constituents,” she said. “I think it’s really important that MPs have the freedom to do what’s right for the people they represent.”

Maskell said the time away from the maelstrom of party politics helped her trust even more in God. “I had a word not long before about having a softness of heart,” she said. “It showed me that you don’t have to harden your heart in [political] spaces… of course I saw Him. You have to, in times like that.”

She rejoins the party at a tense time. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that none of his top team are briefing against one another, after an alleged insider tip-off that he could be successfully challenged after this month’s budget.

“We’re in a difficult space,” Maskell admitted. “We had a very poor legacy to take over, and it is challenging.”

“I would encourage the Prime Minister to reach out to a broader spectrum of the party… [welfare state] policies like ‘Homes fit for Heroes’ are what people look to Labour to deliver,” she said. “It is important that the Prime Minister has the boldness to listen to what people are saying.”