The MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell has told Premier her Christian values mean she won't compromise standing up for the poor and vulnerable, even though it has led to her being suspended from the Labour party.
She's one of four Labour MPs to have had the whip withdrawn after voting against the government over cuts to disability benefits.
Here’s her interview with Premier’s Donna Birrell:
-Were you surprised to have been suspended from the party?
“I wasn't expecting this. I had no pre warning, which I would have expected. And whilst I recognised that I did vote against whip, that I stood by sick and disabled people through the debate, and wasn't able to support the government bill, because I know that it would have pushed people into poverty, I did have a very transparent engagement with government throughout that whole process and my whips and ensured that they were very clear on what I was planning to do and why.”
-How were you told?
“I had a really gracious and professional conversation with the chief whip - I think he has a very difficult job to do. We were able to discuss many things in that space, and obviously I shared my hope and optimism for the Labour Party and the opportunity to get things right early on in processes. And sadly, as we saw, the bill was disintegrating through the parliamentary process, and that's not good for government, and it's not good for the country. So I really hope that over the summer, when people are less busy, there’ll be time for reflection over what's happened, and that we remember sick and disabled people deserve to be seen and heard. That’s all I and many colleagues were seeking to do.”
-You’ve been committed to the Labour Party for many years, so how much of a blow is it now to be sitting as an Independent MP?
“I'm still a member of the Labour Party and having worked so hard for over 34 years for our party, that doesn't stop with the suspension. I'll continue to support the party. I want this to be the best government ever, because I know that will make a difference to my constituents, and I think there's just got to be some learning, and then we can move on from there.”
-Do you stand by your calls to the party to water down the reforms, or given the fact that you have now been suspended, would you do it differently the next time?
“I continue to reflect on everything, but to be honest, I have no regrets of speaking up for people who are so disenfranchised from our society. I was reflecting throughout this whole debate around Matthew 25 when we talk about the hungry and people unclothed and needing shelter. We have a responsibility to those people to ensure that we provide. And when you have policy before you which is going to push people into deeper poverty, and the analysis was that 100,000 people would end up in poverty from this, that's a line I cannot cross.”
-Should MPs always put principle before politics, even if they're not Christian?
“The Labour party is a party about principles, and I think we come to that party with really deep-rooted reasons, and so it's a very important part of our makeup. I know that makes it slightly more difficult to get that unified space, but I think what's the purpose of politics if we drop the very things that we believe in? So this doesn't change me at all. I will continue to put my constituents first, I will continue to speak up for the voiceless and people who have no means. But of course, I hope it can be done in a better way in future, where there's more engagement from the party. I shouldn't be shouting into the echo chamber, it should be reciprocated so that we get the very best for everyone.”
-Is it ever acceptable for a Christian MP to compromise moral conviction for political gain?
“I think it's really difficult and in the quiet places where MPs wrestle. But there are times on many issues where the party will cross a line which I can't cross and as a result of that, I will have to vote with my conscience. It’s an important expression to show that in our country, we can hold values and still abide by them and I think that isn't just for Christians. There's all sorts of people that will have those deep values, but for me, that comes from my faith, and I think that's important.”
-Does it frustrate you sometimes as a Christian, that perhaps there isn't as much integrity in politics and political leadership as there should be?
“I don't think that’s just me. I think the whole country yearns for integrity in politics. We have the absolute privilege of speaking for others, and we need to be able to do so without fear or favour in that space. We will rebuild trust in politics if more people had the courage of their convictions and were able to do that. I'm not there for myself or for a career or anything like that, I'm there to serve. I know I have many flaws, but I want to do the best I can for others.”
-47 MPs voted against welfare reform, but you're one of only four to have been suspended. Do you think that Keir Starmer is out of touch with his back benchers?
“I think there is a bit of a gap there, and I think that hopefully there's some reflection about how that gap can be closed, how there can be better communication. Sometimes we feel we’re shouting into the vacuum and we're not being heard.
-What happens now, do you just wait for the call to say you're back in? How does it work?
“There’ll be an investigation, and I trust that people will see that I come from a good place and a place that I am seeking to be as integral as I possibly can, but also to uphold the integrity of others, and then we'll see what happens. But I trust that this won't be for long, because I don't think it's in anybody's interest. I want to be back as a Labour and Co-op MP in Parliament, doing my work every day. Nothing changes for my constituents. I'll continue to speak up and hold surgeries and be out in the community, because that's what I do. But ultimately, having the whip restored will mean a lot to me.”