SEVEN newly elected Labour MPs were among those defying government whips to vote for state pension compensation for Waspi women this week.

They included Terry Jermy, who vanquished former PM Liz Truss in South-West Norfolk at the last general election.

The rebellion, while of no practical impact, is an indication of resistance to the government as it pursues cuts at the expense of working people.

The other six new MPs voting for Waspi justice were Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool), Julia Buckley (Shrewsbury), Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole), Chris Hinchliff (North-East Hertfordshire), Brian Leishman (Alloa & Grangemouth) and Steve Witherden (Montgomery & Glyndwr).

They joined longer-serving Labour backbenchers Emma Lewell-Buck from South Shields, Grimsby’s Melanie Onn and Jon Trickett from Hemsworth.

Independent Alliance, Green, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat and Ulster Unionist MPs, as well as two Tories, also backed the Bill championed by the Scottish National Party’s Stephen Flynn.

While some of those rebelling have no great form on the left, many such MPs ducked the division.

Notably, only two of the seven Labour MPs suspended for opposing the two-child benefit cap last summer voted against the government this time. 

The whips are presently discussing which of them should be readmitted, and how soon.

Zarah Sultana and Apsana Begum, both of whom voted for Waspi justice, are thought unlikely to be reinstated in the parliamentary party and their fresh defiance indicates their indifference on the matter.

The willingness of the other five to abstain — Labour’s official position — may signal that they are prioritising restoring their PLP membership in good standing.

Labour’s whips had only imposed the lightest form of discipline — a one-line whip — on the vote in a bid to defuse its significance, and have therefore not sanctioned rebels.

One leading left MP said he abstained because of unwillingness to back a SNP manoeuvre.

The party was indeed angling for advantage in pressing a vote with the purpose of exposing Labour MPs, as they have previously done on issues from Gaza to welfare.

To wit, they seek to reverse Labour’s gains at their expense at the last election. On all polling evidence, it appears to be working.