The political crisis following Britain’s EU referendum has deepened embroiling opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn in a fight to keep his job.
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The political crisis following Britain’s EU referendum has deepened embroiling opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn in a fight to keep his job.
He’s refusing to resign despite more than a third of his shadow cabinet pulling their support.
It began with Corbyn sacking Hilary Benn after the foreign policy chief said he had lost confidence in his leadership following his lacklustre campaigning to keep Britain in the EU.
There then followed a steady stream of resignations among Corbyn’s senior team. In all 12 out of 30 members have quit. They are Hilary Benn, Chris Bryant, Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell, Ian Murray, Kerry McCarthy, Vernon Coaker, Charles Falconer, Lilian Greenwood, Karl Turner and Seema Malhotra.
I have just spoken to Jeremy Corbyn. Here is my resignation letter. pic.twitter.com/n0Tbya06is
— Chris Bryant MP (@RhonddaBryant) June 26, 2016
Several have submitted a motion of no-confidence calling for Corbyn’s leadership to be debated at a meeting of the Labour party’s lawmakers today.
Corbyn’s critics say he did not do enough to convince millions of voters in the party’s heartlands to back remaining in the EU.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow cabinet members Andy Burnham, Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry have given Corbyn their support despite the resignations.
Corbyn who has strong support among grassroots Labour members says he intends to fight for his leadership and in the meantime intends to reshape his shadow cabinet within hours.
Those wanting to change Labour's leadership will have to stand in a democratic election in which I'll be a candidate pic.twitter.com/Rt7y3UUQeV
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) June 26, 2016