In an embarrassing parliamentary mishap, two of Reform UK's newest MPs accidentally voted to scrap the controversial two-child benefit limit during a Commons division on Tuesday evening. The blunder saw former Conservative ministers Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick walk through the wrong voting lobby, aligning themselves with Labour MPs who were supporting the abolition of the policy.
Chaotic Voting Mix-Up in Parliament
According to reports from Sky News, Ms Braverman and Mr Jenrick became trapped when the doors to the voting chamber were locked after they mistakenly entered the 'aye' lobby. This procedural error resulted in them being recorded as supporting the Labour-backed legislation to remove the benefit cap, despite their party's official position opposing the move.
A Reform UK spokesperson confirmed the incident was a genuine mistake, stating: "They made a genuine mistake walking through the wrong lobby." The spokesperson's acknowledgement came after what appeared to be a significant voting error that contradicted the party's stated position on welfare policy.
Reform's Divided Voting Pattern
While Braverman and Jenrick accidentally voted with Labour, the party's other five MPs present voted against scrapping the two-child limit. Notably absent from the vote was Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who did not have his vote recorded during the division.
The voting pattern revealed internal confusion within the relatively new parliamentary party, with Labour minister Torsten Bell describing the scene as a "chaotic carnival of chancers." He pointed out the contradictory positions within Reform's ranks, noting that while Braverman and Jenrick voted for abolition, their colleagues voted against it.
Political Reactions to the Blunder
The voting mishap drew immediate criticism from across the political spectrum. Labour MP for Rochdale Paul Waugh commented: "More proof that Reform UK couldn't run a bath, let alone a country." The remark highlighted concerns about the party's parliamentary competence following the high-profile error.
Conservative Party figures also seized on the incident, with former colleague Kemi Badenoch mocking the pair on social media platform X. Referring to their recent defection from the Conservatives to Reform, Badenoch posted with a laughing emoji: "They're Nigel's problem now."
Background of the Two-Child Benefit Limit
The policy in question was originally announced by Conservative Chancellor George Osborne and implemented in 2017. It restricts Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in most households, a measure that has been consistently criticised for pushing families into poverty.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in November's Budget that the policy would be abolished from April, with estimates suggesting this would lift approximately 450,000 children out of poverty. The legislation that passed its first parliamentary hurdle on Tuesday represents a significant step toward implementing this change.
Reform's Evolving Position on Welfare
The voting confusion comes amid what appears to be shifting positions within Reform UK on welfare policy. Last year, Nigel Farage had pledged to abolish the two-child benefit limit as part of broader spending commitments. However, he has since reversed this position, now stating that any policy to lift the cap would only apply to families where both parents are British citizens and in full-time employment.
This policy U-turn, combined with the voting blunder, has raised questions about the party's coherence on social welfare matters. The incident occurred as Labour's draft legislation to scrap the two-child benefit limit passed its first parliamentary hurdle with substantial support, receiving 458 votes in favour against 104 opposed.
The substantial 354-vote majority indicates strong cross-party support for ending the controversial policy, which has been repeatedly criticised for trapping children in poverty since its introduction nearly a decade ago. The voting episode has highlighted both the procedural challenges facing new parliamentary parties and the ongoing political debate about welfare reform in Britain.
