Osborne seeks to exploit Labour splits with call for cross-party welfare reform support

George Osborne has sought to exploit the divisions in the Labour Party that have emerged over welfare this past week with a call for cross-party support in the Commons today. In an article for this morning’s Guardian, the Chancellor urges “moderate Labour MPs” to vote for the Government’s proposed welfare reforms in a vote this evening.

Following days of discussion over how to react to the welfare bill, the Labour leadership finally came to a solution last week that they would put forward a reasoned amendment (which spells out opposition to a bill), but will abstain if the amendment fails. However, there is expected to be a significant rebellion with Labour backbenchers, led by Helen Goodman, voting against the bill.

Speaking on Radio 4 this morning, Goodman said of the amendment acting leader Harriet Harman is putting forward:

“Having pointed out what’s wrong with the bill, it seems to me only logical, if her [Harman’s] motion doesn’t succeed – which it’s unlikely to – that we vote against the bill in its entirety.”

In his piece, Osborne argues that Tory welfare reforms have delivered “progressive ends” and points out the public support for reducing the welfare budget:

“Three in four people – and a majority of Labour voters – think that Britain spends too much on welfare. For our social contract to work, we need to retain the consent of the taxpayer, not just the welfare recipient. For those who can work, I believe it is better to earn a higher income from your work than to receive a higher income from welfare: better for individuals, better for families, better for taxpayers and better for our whole society.”

Ahead of tonight’s vote, the Cabinet minister describes Labour’s blanket opposition to welfare reforms in the last parliament a “mistake”, and calls on opposition MPs to back the Government:

“With the vote coming on Monday night, I urge moderate Labour MPs not to make the same mistake as in the last parliament, when they refused to support each and every welfare reform we proposed. I say: vote with us.”