Starmer supports the continuation of the Rape Clause

[RedToothBrush]

Jack Elsom AT JackElsom
Starmer says scrapping two-child benefit cap is NOT Labour policy. Came after his shadow work and pensions secretary Jon Ashworth called it “heinous” and suggested Labour would scrap it.

The Rape Clause gets to stay. Yay. How progressive.

I give up. What DO Labour stand for? HOW are they really planning to serve the interests of vulnerable women?

I just wish ONE party managed to even ATTEMPT to centre women.

starmer seems terrified of doing anything different to the current lot or anything that could cost any money. I guess he is trying not to make a target for the right wing press, but it really doesn't help his cause much.

It's just dismal. Starmer has been such a disappointment.

He doesn't support the continuation, he just said the removal is not currently party policy.

They've committed to a review which will include the clause, I don't see how a Labour review would have terms against which the clause would get a thumbs up.

He's said he wants to target poverty and this clause is clearly a poverty causing policy.

Politics is about winning and then making changes.

I'm not a Labour member btw, just someone who watches a lot of politics. Starmer's job currently is to maintain a double digit lead to ensure the Tories get no momentum. He's doing a good job at that.

The polls suggest otherwise. Corbyn made people feel warm and fuzzy but he lost. Analysis shows Corbyn was a key reason for many in red wall seats switching to the Tories.

Not falling into a media bear trap is actually pretty important.

I personally find UK politics very frustrating but we've got the electorate, media and voting system we've got so Starter has to win under those constraints.

What's the "rape clause"?

The two child limit on benefit claims, with an exception if you write on a form that your third child was conceived due to rape

It is a) disgusting, b) found by research to be causing extreme hardship and C) stupid as there is concern about the falling birthrate nationally.

Good.

There's no need to encourage people who can't afford children to have more.

I'd rather spend that money on, for example, subsidised childcare.