Former MSP Neil Findlay quits Labour party over 'vindictive' UK benefit reforms

Former Scottish Labour frontbencher Neil Findlay has quit the party over "vindictive" Westminster welfare reforms.

The ex-MSP accused the UK Labour government of lying to the public in an open letter to Keir Starmer.

The move comes as serving Scottish Labour health spokesperson Carol Mochan and former leadership contender Monica Lennon called on Westminster colleagues to U-turn on their "mistake". 

The criticism reveals trouble amongst the ranks over the controversial changes, which are aimed at saving £5bn a year by 2030.

Mochan said: "Austerity has never been a sustainable path to growth. We cannot balance the books on the backs of people who require benefits just to have a passable standard of living. These reforms are a mistake and should not go ahead."

Responding, Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman said Mochan's comments were "well said", adding: "The Labour Party should be anti-austerity. Always."

Meanwhile, Findlay, who spent a decade in the Scottish Parliament, said he could no longer be a member of a party that "lied to the British people at the last election and with regularity betrays the people who voted for it".

In an open letter to Keir Starmer, he wrote: "At a time when more people are going hungry, fuel bills are soaring and the cost of living is leaving working class families unable to afford the basics, a Labour government should be going after the billions lost in corporate tax fraud and avoidance, it should be making those companies that pollute our environment pay and it should be introducing a wealth tax on the super-rich.

"But instead you choose to punish and stigmatise the weak, poor and the vulnerable."

The comments follow the announcement of sweeping changes aimed at cutting the UK's benefits bill.

The UK Government said the changes, including reduced incapacity benefits for those aged under 22 and tougher eligibility tests for the Personal Independence Payment, will save £5bn a year by 2030.

Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride said the reforms were a "rushed" attempt to identify savings ahead of next week's anticipated Spring Statement.

Findlay, a former teacher on the left of the party, accused Labour of pursuing "vindictive and brutal policies" including means-tests for the Winter Fuel Payment and the decision not to compensate Waspi women.

And he said that platform, which has been supported in Commons votes by Scottish MPs, is now a threat to the party's future.

Findlay told Starmer: "The reality is that Labour will be lucky to come third at the forthcoming Scottish election, will lose power in Wales for the first time and faces being routed at the next UK election and this will be down to your disastrous tenure as leader.

"All of which threatened the very existence of the party. MPs who continue to support your agenda are turkeys voting for Christmas.

"In solidarity with the individuals and families who will be affected by these vindictive and brutal policies and for my own sanity, dignity and self respect I can no longer remain a member of the Labour Party."

Commenting on the news, Edinburgh Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda said she is "angry that the anti-poor, old and vulnerable policies of the UK Government have driven Neil Findlay from the Labour Party", adding: "People like Neil from solid working class backgrounds are few and far between in Holyrood and Westminster, maybe that is the problem."

And Central Scotland MSP Lennon said she was "extremely sorry" to see Findlay exit, stating: "The UK Government is going in the wrong direction on welfare. For the sake of my constituents, I urge ministers to stop the cuts to disabled people."

However, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said: "Mr Findlay is a private citizen, he is entitled to his views."