A Labour MP has been removed from the party’s frontbench by Sir Keir Starmer after appearing on the picket line during a rail strike.
Sam Tarry, the MP for Ilford South and shadow transport minister, was this morning at Euston station along with striking rail workers.
He told Sky News the way the government was treating rail workers was disgusting.
Labour frontbenchers were banned from joining picket lines during last month’s strikes.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party will always stand up for working people fighting for better pay, terms and conditions at work.
“This isn’t about appearing on a picket line. Members of the frontbench sign up to collective responsibility. That includes media appearances being approved and speaking to agreed frontbench positions.
“As a government in waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench.”
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Mr Tarry caused a stir when he turned up at the picket line this morning alongside RMT union boss Mick Lynch.
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But he denied defying party orders, saying: “I’m not defying anybody. I’m here supporting 40,000 low paid transport workers who decided to go on strike.”
In a statement after the sacking he maintained he was “proud” to support the industrial action, saying key workers who kept the transport network running during the pandemic now face a “cost-of-living crisis and rampant inflation caused by the Government’s mismanagement of our economy”.
He notably declined to criticise the Labour leadership, instead hitting out at “callous and incompetent ministers” who he accused of refusing to negotiate with trade unions.
He added: “This dispute would not be taking place under a Labour government, which would ensure that rail workers receive a fair wage.
“It has been a privilege to serve on Labour’s frontbench for the past two years and to have had the opportunity to speak up for hard-pressed workers who deserve so much better than the treatment they’ve received from this corrupt and out-of-touch Government.”
Mr Tarry’s sacking has caused outrage among allies on the left of the Labour party.
John McDonnell tweeted: “This must be the first Labour MP to be removed from his frontbench position for joining a trade union picket line to support workers.”
Kate Osamor said: “Solidarity @SamTarry. The Labour Party exists to fight for ordinary people. We must never lose sight of that.”
Zara Sultana said: “Labour MPs should be proud to stand with workers. The clue is in the name.”
