Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield Resigns from Labour, Slams PM and Policies in Scathing Letter

Rosie Duffield, MP for Canterbury, Resigns from Labour Party, Blasting Sir Keir Starmer in Her Departure Letter

In her resignation, Ms. Duffield slams the administration for implementing policies she describes as "harsh and needless," and she criticizes the prime minister for "duplicity" regarding the acceptance of gifts.

Sunday, September 29, 2024, 3:

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Rosie Duffield, the Member of Parliament for Canterbury, has stepped down from the Labour Party.

The 53-year-old Member of Parliament is the first to defect since the general election, and in her letter of resignation, she condemned the prime minister for receiving gifts valued at thousands of pounds.

She explained to Sir Keir Starmer that her decision to leave was due to "the set of policies you appear committed to maintaining," despite their lack of popularity among voters and Members of Parliament.

Full Text of Rosie Duffield's Resignation Letter

In her correspondence, she charged the prime minister and his senior officials with "corruption, favoritism, and seeming greed" that she described as "unprecedented."

"She expressed deep embarrassment over how he and his close associates had brought disgrace and shame to their formerly respected party."

Sir Keir has encountered criticism following a Sky News report that disclosed he has accepted significantly more complimentary items than any other MP since he assumed leadership of the Labour Party.

Further Discussion on Labour

Rosie Duffield Reveals Surprising Exit from Labour, Cites Issues with Women Under Keir Starmer's Leadership

Full Text of Rosie Duffield's Resignation Letter

Rosie Duffield's letter is brutally honest, with the harshest criticisms aimed at the Prime Minister.

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From December 2019, the prime minister was granted £107,145 in presents, advantages, and entertainment, as recorded under a distinct classification in the parliamentary register of MPs' interests.

Ms. Duffield, known for her previous disagreements with the prime minister concerning gender issues, criticized the government for implementing what she described as "harsh and needless" policies while stepping down from the Labour whip.

Rosie Duffield's letter is brutally frank, with the harshest criticisms aimed at the Prime Minister.

Political correspondent

In many respects, this is to be expected.

Rosie Duffield has expressed her dissatisfaction with her party, particularly regarding its stance on gender issues, and she has been quite vocal in her criticism of Sir Keir Starmer.

What stands out is the sheer intensity and harshness of the letter—it's brutal—and the harshest criticisms are directed at the prime minister.

She describes his latest actions—eliminating the majority of winter fuel allowances for retirees and maintaining the two-child limit on benefits—as 'harsh'.

She questions, 'pushing for a decision that worsens the health and comfort of numerous elderly individuals while you and your select peers benefit from complimentary trips to high-profile events that others must financially strive for – how is it that you display no signs of shame or regret?'

Throughout the week, Sir Keir has been addressing concerns about certain contributions and striving to shift focus away from this controversy. Meanwhile, Rosie Duffield criticizes his administration for what she describes as unprecedented levels of 'corruption, favoritism, and blatant greed'.

Explore further insights from Serena

Discover more: The MP's resignation letter is brutally candid, with particularly harsh criticisms aimed at the Prime Minister. The Westminster Accounts: Explore the financial contributions received by your MP.

She expressed disapproval of the decision to maintain the two-child limit on benefit claims and to implement means-testing for winter fuel allowances. She also accused the prime minister of "hypocrisy" for accepting complimentary gifts from contributors.

"Since the new administration took office in July, the instances of hypocrisy that have come to light are both shocking and growing more scandalous," she stated.

"It's impossible to express the depth of frustration that my colleagues and I feel due to your complete misunderstanding of the impact your actions have had on our reputation."

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Ms. Duffield also referred to the recent situation involving Diane Abbott. Ms. Abbott believed she had been prevented from running by the Labour Party as a candidate in the upcoming general election. However, Sir Keir later confirmed that she would be permitted to contest her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat on behalf of the party.

She has had a tense relationship with the Labour Party's top brass for some time, and her departure from the party follows the suspension of seven fellow Labour MPs. These MPs were suspended after they broke ranks to support a proposal aimed at eliminating the two-child limit on benefits.

"She criticized the individual, who possesses significant wealth, for maintaining the Conservative policy that restricts benefits to two children, thereby deepening child poverty. At the same time, this person inexplicably accepts lavish personal gifts like designer suits and eyewear, priced beyond what many can afford. She argued that such actions do not befit someone who aspires to be a Labour prime minister," she stated.

Ms. Duffield stated that she will persist in serving her constituents as an independent MP, while remaining true to her fundamental Labour principles.

The departure sparked controversy online when Nadia Whittome, the MP for Nottingham East, expressed on social media that the party should have taken disciplinary action against Ms. Duffield much earlier, due to her stance against transgender reforms.

In a post about X, Ms. Whittome commented: "Regardless of one's opinion on her expressed motivations for resigning, Rosie Duffield has built her political legacy by diminishing the humanity of one of society's most vulnerable groups.

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"The Labour Party ought to have revoked her membership much earlier, rather than allowing her the honor of resignation."

In support of Ms Duffield, Harry Potter creator JK Rowling praised the MP as "one of the rare female Labour politicians who bravely advocates for vulnerable women and girls."

"Don't mention her name," the author, who has faced extensive criticism lately for her opinions on transgender rights, warned Ms. Whittome.

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