UK Labour Party MP Rosie Duffield has resigned from the party, citing leader Keir Starmer’s “cruel” policies and “hypocrisy” in accepting lavish gifts while implementing policies harmful to the vulnerable. In her scathing resignation letter, Duffield condemned Starmer’s “staggering hypocrisy” in accepting gifts worth tens of thousands of pounds while scrapping the winter fuel payment and maintaining the two-child benefit cap.

Duffield expressed anger and shame over Starmer’s actions, labeling them “sleaze, nepotism, and apparent avarice”. She criticized Starmer’s decision to keep the two-child limit, which entrenches children in poverty, while accepting expensive personal gifts, including designer suits and glasses.

This move follows the suspension of seven other Labour MPs who rebelled against the King’s Speech by voting to abolish the two-child benefit cap. Duffield will now sit as an independent MP, guided by her core Labour values. Notably, she’s the fastest MP to leave the party after a general election in modern history.

The resignation highlights growing discontent within the Labour Party, with some members questioning Starmer’s leadership style and policies.