Resignations must be taken humbly

Monday’s resignations by seven Labour MPs are a mistake, but also a warning. Like it or not, the Labour Party is not a centralist party. It has always contained a mix of political traditions, a coalition of organised labour and various mainstream socialist and social democratic traditions. Arguments have often been fierce, but they have mostly taken place within a large tent.

At various times the party has tacked more decisively in one direction or another, putting that mix under pressure. Over the past century, Britain has also changed in fundamental ways that challenge the party to adapt or perish. Yet, by and large, Labour activists, interests and voters have managed to remain at least broadly agreed on a common purpose: the election of Labour governments that can redress the imbalance of economic, social and political power in Britain.

The MPs’ decision to resign needs to be seen in that context. It needs to be taken humbly by all those who remain committed to the Labour cause and believe, especially in the context of Brexit and the capture of the Conservative Party by the nationalist Right, that Britain badly needs an effective Labour government.

The case for a broad-church Labour Party remains compelling, especially in the face of the national tragedy over Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn could do far more to reinvigorate such a conception of Labour than he does. These resignations are a signal to him that he should do so.