Two senior Reform UK MPs have found themselves at the centre of an embarrassing Commons blunder after accidentally voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap — despite their party now backing its retention.
Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, who both defected from the Conservatives last month, mistakenly entered the wrong voting lobbies during a key division in the House of Commons on Tuesday night.
Their error stood out sharply as the five other Reform MPs who took part voted against scrapping the cap, in line with the party’s current policy position.
Commons Vote Records Confirm Reform UK Error
The pair initially benefited from attempts by Reform UK sources to play down the incident, suggesting it was a “genuine mistake” and claiming their votes had not been formally recorded.
However, official House of Commons records show both MPs voted with Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, the DUP and Plaid Cymru to remove the cap. The motion passed decisively by 458 votes to 104.
One Labour MP dismissed Reform’s explanation outright: “Reform’s attempt to spin this by saying neither MP registered a vote is just nonsense.”
Chaotic carnival of chancers latest:
– Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against
– and of course Farage doesn’t even bother turning up to do his job https://t.co/0YKuuYJlms pic.twitter.com/FYNyCRtNMm— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) February 3, 2026
Another Labour MP was even more scathing, saying the mix-up proved the pair “couldn’t run a bath, let alone a country”.
More proof that Reform UK couldn’t run a bath, let alone a country:
– Braverman and Jenrick voted FOR Labour’s bill to scrap the 2 child cap tonight.
– 4 other Reform MPs voted AGAINST it.
– And Farage didn’t vote either way. pic.twitter.com/1mEYYqLI88
— Paul Waugh MP (@paulwaugh) February 3, 2026
Political Fallout and Nigel Farage’s Shifting Position
The voting error quickly became fodder on social media, where MPs and commentators mocked Jenrick and Braverman for the mishap.
The incident has also reopened scrutiny of Reform UK’s evolving stance on the two-child benefit cap. When the government announced last year that it was scrapping the policy, Reform leader Nigel Farage publicly welcomed the move.
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“We believe for lower-paid workers this actually makes having children just a little bit easier for them,” he said.
Farage has since hardened his position, arguing that the cap should only be lifted for households where both parents are British and working full-time. Speaking on Tuesday, he said Reform would instead use the money saved to fund support for pubs.
