Two shadow frontbenchers resign after rebelling on NHS vaccine mandate vote

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson has confirmed that two members of his front bench team have resigned after defying the party’s whip on yesterday’s vote on compulsory vaccines for NHS workers.

Shadow minister for arts, civic society and youth Rachael Maskell resigned after rebelling on Tuesday’s vote.

Maskell was first elected as ‌the‌ Labour MP‌ ‌for‌ York Central in 2015. She endorsed Clive Lewis in Labour’s 2020 leadership race.

In a statement made via Twitter today, she said: “”I will not turn my back on working people and I will never forget my roots”. This is why I had to resign … I wouldn’t vote to sack health & care workers. I will always have their back and will always fight for them. Vaccination must be a choice,” using emojis to show that she encourages people to wear face coverings and vaccine uptake.

Mick Whitley, who had been serving as parliamentary private secretary to shadow secretary of state for climate change and net zero Ed Miliband, also resigned from his post following the vote.

Whitley, who was elected MP for Birkenhead in 2019, is considered to be on the left of the Labour Party, having supported Rebecca Long Bailey in the 2020 Labour leadership election.  

Following Tuesday’s vote he said via Twitter; “Tonight I voted against plans to make vaccination mandatory for NHS workers. I voted against my party with a heavy heart, but I have serious concerns about the impact of this measure on our overstretched and underfunded health service.”

In a letter to Labour’s chief whip, he highlighted the issue of vaccine hesitancy among certain ethnic and religious minorities, and his concerns that the policy to place pressure on the NHS at the time when it is already suffering from staffing shortages.