Labour has “abandoned any pretence of being a party of social justice” after most of its MPs failed to oppose Conservative welfare reforms, the SNP has claimed.
Although 48 rebels have defied the party leadership to vote against the Government’s welfare reforms, including leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn, most followed Harriet Harman’s demand to abstain in the Commons second reading vote on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill.
Two other of the leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper fell into line despite both criticising Ms Harman over the plan.
A reasoned amendment outlining concerns about the Welfare Reform and Work Bill tabled by Ms Harman was defeated 308 to 208, majority 100.
SNP employment spokeswoman Hannah Bardell said: “The Tories’ cruel welfare cuts damage the working poor and vulnerable people, and had to be opposed.
“Labour had the perfect opportunity to join the SNP in a progressive coalition to oppose the Tories – but with some honourable exceptions they sat on their hands.
“This disgraceful stance will haunt Labour through next year’s Scottish Parliament election and far beyond. Labour have completely abandoned any pretence of being a party of social justice and progress.”
Ms Bardell described the Bill as “Dickensian”, warning it would hit working families as well as children and vulnerable people.
Ms Harman has insisted her party should not oppose the plans – which cut tax credits, reduce the welfare cap and introduce a “national living wage” – outright because it will not be heard on the issues it has a particular problem with.
In senior Labour circles, there was relief that no shadow ministers had joined the revolt, but the Tories said it showed the Opposition had not learned from their general election defeat.
Mr Burnham meanwhile made clear that he could continue to lead the fight against the Government’s plans if he gained the leadership.
A Labour Party spokesman sought to play down the rebellion insisting that it was “no big surprise”.
“Harriet was clear in the position – that we would abstain – and the majority of Labour MPs did so. However, we always knew that there would be a certain number of people who took a different view,” the spokesman said.
However Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said that with around a fifth of the parliamentary party voting against the reforms, it was clear Labour had not changed.
“Nearly 50 Labour MPs have defied their leadership and opposed our welfare reforms which will move our country from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society,” he said.
“It’s clear that Labour are still the same old anti-worker party – just offering more welfare, more borrowing and more taxes.”
Ms Harman had hoped to use the issue to show that the party had listened to voters’ concerns about the high cost of welfare to the taxpayer, but the more triggered a furious reaction across the party.
Earlier Mr Burnham issued a letter to Labour MPs explaining why he had decided to vote with the leadership after Ms Harman tabled a “reasoned amendment” which would have denied the Bill a second reading, although he remained deeply unhappy with the legislation.
An amendment tabled by Labour former minister Helen Goodman was not selected for debate and vote despite being signed by more than 50 backbenchers.
Rebel ringleader Ms Goodman warned the Bill was “obnoxious” and “regressive”, highlighting a future limit on tax credits to two children per household as a key failing.