LABOUR is likely to employ divide-and-rule tactics when disciplining dissident MPs, it has emerged.

Westminster sources have indicated that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s whips are considering readmitting to the parliamentary party five of the seven MPs who rebelled over the government’s decision to maintain the two-child benefit cap.

Under the scenario, members for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, and Poplar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum, would not have their suspensions lifted.

The other five — Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussein, Rebecca Long-Bailey and John McDonnell — would have the whip restored.

All seven were removed from the Parliamentary Labour Party for a six-month period, now almost elapsed, after their rebellion last July.

At a recent meeting of the left Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, those present agreed that they should seek to return to the Labour fold, though not all of the seven were in attendance.

There had been speculation that they might seek to regroup with the left-wing Independent Alliance of MPs, which includes Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Sultana and Ms Begum have long been targets of the party’s right, and unsuccessful efforts were made to remove both as Labour candidates before the last election.

Five of the seven MPs went on to vote against the government’s decision to axe winter fuel benefit from millions of pensioners. Ms Long-Bailey and Mr Hussein abstained.

Ms Sultana in particular has maintained an outspoken critical commentary on the government’s course since her suspension, though none of the seven have been silent over Gaza or social questions.

On all present polling indicators, Ms Begum would be likely re-elected in her constituency against an official Labour candidate, should it come to that.

Ms Sultana’s Coventry seat would be tougher, but the Birmingham-born MP would be warmly welcomed in any of several constituencies in her hometown, which anti-imperialist candidates almost won last July and would be still better placed to secure now.

There is no suggestion that she has been canvassing such a possibility, but leading activists in Birmingham have been floating the idea.

If the whips do restore five of the seven to Labour’s ranks, it will be a sign of the beleaguered government’s wariness about fighting on yet another front.

One left-wing MP told the Telegraph that Labour’s leadership would “pay a price in electoral terms by freezing out the left,” adding that Sir Keir’s “leadership is doomed unless he changes direction.”

Reintegration will also be challenging for left MPs who will, with renewed austerity looming, likely face a number of divisive Commons votes ahead.

Any continuing exclusion of Ms Begum and Ms Sultana, two Muslim women, will reinforce allegations of pandering to Reform-inclined voters, a tactic central to the strategy of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s chief of staff.