29/04/2026
Labour MP Yuan Yang votes no in key Commons vote on privileges inquiry
Labour MP Yuan Yang, the MP for Earley and Woodley—which includes Shinfield—voted against referring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Parliament’s Privileges Committee in a closely watched Commons division on Tuesday, aligning with the government as it fought off an opposition-led attempt to launch an inquiry.
The vote centred on whether Starmer should face an investigation over claims he misled Parliament in relation to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States. The motion, put forward by Conservatives and supported by other opposition parties, was defeated by a margin of 335 votes to 223.
Yang was among the majority of Labour MPs who followed the party whip and opposed the referral. The government had imposed strict voting discipline, framing the motion as politically motivated.
The result marked a significant victory for Starmer, though it exposed some unease within Labour ranks. A small number of Labour MPs broke with the leadership to support the inquiry, while others abstained or were absent.
Opposition figures argued that the Privileges Committee should examine whether the Prime Minister’s statements about the Mandelson appointment were accurate, particularly in light of concerns about the vetting process.
Downing Street dismissed the push for an inquiry as a “political stunt,” maintaining that proper procedures had been followed and that Starmer had acted in good faith.
Yang has not publicly commented in detail on her vote, but her position reflects broader Labour efforts to contain the controversy.
The debate is likely to continue to reverberate in Westminster, with critics expected to keep pressing for further scrutiny despite the failed motion.
