Labor MPs Condemn Starmer‘s Retreat on Day-One Workers‘ Rights
Westminster – A significant rift has opened within the labour Party as mps sharply criticized Keir Starmer’s decision to scale back a key pledge to grant workers protection from unfair dismissal from their first day of employment. The move, announced as the party attempts to navigate a legislative standoff, has been labelled a “complete betrayal” by some within the party, raising questions about the commitment to core manifesto promises.
The original plan, outlined in Labour’s manifesto, aimed to introduce day-one rights to protection from unfair dismissal, alongside banning “exploitative” zero-hours contracts and ending the practice of “fire and rehire.” However,the government now intends to implement the right to unfair dismissal protection after six months of service,a compromise reached following resistance in the House of Lords. Day-one rights to paternity leave and sick pay are still slated to come into affect in April 2026.
The shift has sparked outrage from Labour backbenchers. Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, vowed to fight the change, stating: “We cannot support that halfway measure. This is a wrong-headed move and I will campaign to have this concession reversed.”
Neil Duncan-Jordan,the Labour MP for Poole,questioned the rationale behind the U-turn,saying,”There has been no discussion with the PLP [parliamentary Labour party] about this. The Lords don’t have primacy over a manifesto commitment, so why have we capitulated?”
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, argued that employers would not be negatively impacted by day-one rights, adding, “Employers have nothing to fear from day-one rights, but workers have everything to fear from an employer who doesn’t want day-one rights.”
Former employment minister Justin Madders, recently removed from his post in the Prime minister’s reshuffle, affirmed the change represents “definitely is a manifesto breach.” The Labour manifesto explicitly promised consultation with stakeholders before legislation, including the introduction of basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal.
Despite the internal criticism, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the compromise, stating a failure to reach an agreement on unfair dismissal protections could have delayed the implementation of all the new employment rights. She explained that discussions between businesses,the TUC,and the government led to the agreement to reduce the qualifying period to six months.
“It means that the time limit will come down from two years to six months, and that runs alongside vital day-one rights around sick pay and around parental leave,” phillipson told Sky News.she maintained the party is adhering to it’s manifesto commitment to consult with stakeholders, framing the change as a result of that process.
The U-turn highlights the challenges facing the Labour Party as it seeks to balance ambitious policy goals with the realities of parliamentary procedure and potential economic concerns. The internal dissent underscores the importance of maintaining party unity as Labour aims to present a cohesive front ahead of the next general election.
