‘Is the Prime Minister out of touch!?’ Ellie Costello grills Labour MP as Keir Starmer faces backbench mutiny

Alexander's comments came after GB News host Ellie Costello challenged the Minister of State for Trade Policy about the scale of the rebellion, noting that "potentially northwards of 120 Labour MPs" were backing the rebel amendment.

"The Prime Minister was asked yesterday about all of this and he described his party as being pretty united behind a need for change," Ellie said.

"But this threatened rebellion is enough to wipe out the Government's working majority in Parliament. That doesn't seem pretty united. So is the Prime Minister out of touch with his own party now?"

The rebellion represents nearly a third of Labour's 403 MPs in parliament. Media reports have pointed to growing alarm in Downing Street, with one minister telling The Times the mood was one of "panic."

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Defending the Prime Minister, Alexander said: "What the Prime Minister made clear was how, if you actually read the terms of this amendment, we actually share a great deal in common across the Labour Party.

"A commitment to make sure that there is provision and support for people to get off benefits and get into work.

"A recognition that we need fundamental reform of the welfare system. A determination to make sure that the most vulnerable are protected.

"Now, it's right to recognise that there have been concerns expressed within that reasoned amendment, but that's exactly why these conversations will now be happening.

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"But I'm very struck by the willingness and determination of colleagues right across Parliament to try and get this important piece of legislation right.

"I've got many friends as well as colleagues who have signed that amendment and I fully anticipate that we'll be talking to them in the coming days."

The proposals form part of Government plans to slash £5 billion from the welfare bill by 2030.

Labour's own assessments indicate the reforms would drive 250,000 people and 50,000 children into poverty.

Latest official figures show 3.7 million people in England and Wales claimed PIP, up from 2.05 million in 2019.

Starmer defended the reforms on Tuesday, stating: "I think it's 1000 people a day going on to PIP. The additions to PIP each year are the equivalent of the population of a city the size of Leicester."

The political pressure on the Prime Minister extends beyond his own party, with Reform UK continuing to ride high in opinion polls. An Ipsos poll last week put Nigel Farage's party on 34 per cent, nine points ahead of Labour on 25 per cent.

A Labour Party insider told The Sun that many MPs were willing to rebel because "they are seeing poll after poll showing their seats going to Reform next election".