Today, Labour is in disarray over rail strikes, with a host of MPs defying Keir Starmer’s orders not to join picket lines.
The leader’s desperate attempts to avoid taking sides in the costly industrial action are in shambles, with his own men disobeying him.
One of individuals who tweeted images of herself supporting the RMT was Kate Osborne, an adviser to shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Kyle.
Opposition Whip Navendu Mishra joined a picket line and declared himself a “proud trade unionist,” while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was also pictured showing his solidarity.
The party’s union paymasters have reacted with fury after Sir Keir banned frontbenchers from showing solidarity with rail workers outside stations, demanding he gets ‘on the side of workers’.
Sir Keir’s aide did not respond to questions about whether they would face disciplinary action. And shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden told Sky News: ‘That’s a matter for the whips and for Keir Starmer.’ 
Thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators are walking out today, Thursday and Saturday, in the worst wave of industrial action on the railways for a generation.
Under one in five trains are expected to run on strike days, and only for about 11 hours – with warnings vital medical procedures and exams will be disrupted.
The RMT and Unite are also holding a 24-hour walkout on London Underground which will cause huge disruption to the Tube.
Ministers and train companies insist they have offered a 4 per cent pay package – including 1 per cent linked to productivity improvements – and Boris Johnson has warned that higher rises would merely fuel rampant inflation.
However, the RMT is insisting the minimum it will accept is 7 per cent.
A leaked memo from Sir Keir’s office said shadow cabinet members ‘should not be on picket lines’, and asked them to speak to team members to remind them of this.
But Labour MP Ian Lavery was among many boasting that he was backing the strikes today.
‘Solidarity with the @RMT today and all days,’ he posted along with a photograph of him on picket lines in Morpeth.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, lashed out at Labour over the reports regarding the leaked memo.
She said: ‘The Labour Party was founded by the trade unions and we expect Labour MPs to defend workers, by words and by actions. To instruct Labour MPs not to be on picket lines with workers speaks volumes.
A slew of Labour MPs voiced support for the RMT action despite Sir Keir’s pleas
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, lashed out at Labour over the reports regarding the leaked memo
‘You don’t lead by hiding. No-one respects that. It’s time to decide whose side you are on. Workers or bad bosses?’
‘This is ludicrous nonsense from the party that was established by trade unions,’ said Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association. Solidarity is at the heart of our movement.’
Frontbenchers can ‘anticipate substantial disruption this week as a result of RMT industrial action,’ according to the document obtained by Politics Home.
‘We have strong lines.’ We do not want these strikes to take place because of the public disturbance they will cause. It said that the administration had “failed to participate in any discussions.”
‘However, we also must show leadership and to that end, please be reminded that frontbenchers including (parliamentary private secretaries) should not be on picket lines.
‘Please speak to all the members of your team to remind them of this and confirm with me that you have done so.’
Labour declined to comment.
