Labour frontbencher sacked after interview on rail strike picket line
A Labour MP has been removed from the party’s frontbench by Sir Keir Starmer after giving a TV interview 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 rail workers taking industrial action over pay and conditions.
He told Sky News the way the government was treating them was disgusting.
Another rail strike announced – live updates
Labour frontbenchers were banned from joining picket lines during last month’s strikes.
A spokesperson from Labour said the party “will always stand up for working people fighting for better pay, terms and conditions at work”.
But they added: “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.”
It is understood the decision was made over comments Mr Tarry made in a Sky News interview where he suggested workers could not be offered a below-inflation pay rise. Labour’s position is that pay negotiations are for unions and ministers.
A senior Labour source has told Sky News: “You can’t make up your own policies on an unauthorised national TV appearance and expect it all to be fine.”
They added: “It’s also a hilarious amount of attention for an absolute nobody who has never achieved anything.”
The move has sparked outrage among allies of Mr Tarry on the left of the party.
But the former frontbencher has notably declined to criticise the Labour leadership himself, instead hitting out at “callous and incompetent ministers” who he accused of refusing to negotiate with trade unions.
He said it was “a real shame” to be sacked for “standing shoulder to shoulder” with striking workers, adding Labour was “going to really struggle to win the faith of the British people” as more strikes take place in different sectors.
But he said he was a Labour “loyalist” and offered his thanks to Sir Keir for letting him serve on the frontbench, claiming he had been “a real asset to the party, making sure our agenda of progressive transport policies is put forward”.
He said: “I’ll be supporting and campaigning for our Labour Party to get into Number 10 and I believe that that is possible.
“But I believe that is possible on the basis of real solidarity and real solidarity means not turning our backs on people that created and made our party and make us strong on a daily basis.”
Mr Tarry caused a stir when he turned up at the picket line this morning alongside RMT union boss Mick Lynch.
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.”
He continued to tweet his support for the strikes afterwards, saying he was “proud” to be on the picket line.
‘Wake up and smell the coffee’
A number of MPs on the left of the Labour Party have tweeted their support for Mr Tarry after his sacking from the frontbench.
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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.”
And Zarah Sultana said: “Labour MPs should be proud to stand with workers. The clue is in the name.”
The TSSA transport union also slammed the decision, saying they were “ashamed” of the Labour party.
TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Whatever excuses the Labour Party makes about the reasons for Sam being sacked, the reality is that Sam has shown solidarity with his class and we applaud him for that. The Labour Party needs to wake up and smell the coffee. If they think can win the next general election while pushing away seven million trade union members, they are deluded.”
