Is Sir Keir Starmer overreacting by suspending seven Labour MPs who voted to repeal the two-child benefit cap? Of course not, according to the Labour leader's closest circle. But many Labour MPs, not just the left-wing "usual suspects," were taken aback by his reaction. Sir Keir described himself as ruthless in an interview with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby. This harsh behaviour corroborates that. Draconian? The rebels' SNP amendment was lost 363 votes to 103, for a majority of 260. Not quite a razor-thin vote.Is Sir Keir Starmer overreacting by suspending seven Labour MPs who voted to repeal the two-child benefit cap? Of course not, according to the Labour leader's closest circle. 

Arguably, therefore, seven votes against the government were neither here nor there. But that's not the point, according to Starmer allies.

A leadership source told Sky News the decision was taken "to show that we expect Labour MPs to support the programme we were elected on".

Obviously the prime minister and Sir Alan want Labour's newly-elected MPs to understand right from the beginning of this parliament that rebellion will not be tolerated.

Tony Blair, however, who won a Labour landslide in 1997 and again in 2001, was - in comparison with Sir Keir - fairly relaxed about rebellions by the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.

Back then, the group's leaders were John McDonnell and his friend Jeremy Corbyn, as well as Diane Abbott. The Campaign Group routinely launched rebellions involving 30 or so Labour MPs. In contrast, Sir Keir has expelled Mr Corbyn from the Labour Party. Mr Corbyn's close friend John McDonnell was among the child benefit rebels, and Diane Abbott appears to have been as well, although "personal reasons" prevented her from voting against the cap in Westminster. Back then, the group's leaders were John McDonnell and his friend Jeremy Corbyn, as well as Diane Abbott. The Campaign Group routinely launched rebellions involving 30 or so Labour MPs. In contrast, Sir Keir has expelled Mr Corbyn from the Labour Party.