Why would you vote for Corbyn – even his own MP s condemned him!
Only a year ago, what his top team told their beleaguered leader
JEREMY Corbyn’s top team are campaigning for him to become PM – but less than a year ago, many were demanding he step down.
With 172 Labour MPs voting against their leader in a confidence motion, dozens resigned from the frontbench before later slinking back.
Here we look at which of Mr Corbyn’s colleagues walked away, and what they told their leader in letters of resignation:
SIR KEIR STARMER SHADOW BREXIT SECRETARY
‘It is simply untenable now to suggest we can offer an effective opposition without a change of leader’.
JOHN HEALEY SHADOW HOUSING MINISTER
‘You are clearly not prepared to accept the special responsibility you have.’
NIA GRIFFITH SHADOW DEFENCE SECRETARY
‘I do not feel that our discussions… gave me the confidence that you can now achieve this unity.’
LYN BROWN ACTING SHADOW HOME SECRETARY
‘For the good of the party and the country, I believe that we should seek a new leader.’
CHRISTINA REES SHADOW WELSH SECRETARY
[Did not release a letter]
JACK DROMEY SHADOW EMPLOYMENT MINISTER
‘I believe that we may now be on the brink of a catastrophic defeat from which Labour might never recover.’
STEVE REED SHADOW CIVIL SOCIETY MINISTER
‘[I hope you will] stand aside as leader and allow Labour to become once again a party of power rather than an impotent party of protest.’
ALEX CUNNINGHAM SHADOW PENSIONS MINISTER
‘I am not convinced that with you as leader we can win the general election.’
JENNY CHAPMAN SHADOW BREXIT MINISTER
‘The uncomfortable truth is that Labour needs a leader who can reach out more widely.’
THANGAM DEBBONAIRE OPPOSITION WHIP
‘I know [Mr Corbyn] is not the right person to show strong leadership through Brexit negotiations.’
NICK SMITH OPPOSITION WHIP
‘I am afraid for the future of our party with you as leader.’
SHARON HODGSON SHADOW PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER
‘I fear your leadership could force Labour into fighting for its very existence rather than campaigning to form the next government.’
BARBARA KEELEY SHADOW MENTAL HEALTH MINISTER
‘I am deeply concerned that the current state of the party means we will not be able to mount an effective frontbench opposition.’
RICHARD BURDEN SHADOW TRANSPORT MINISTER
‘I honestly believe that for you to respond by digging yourself deeper into your trench is just going to make a mad situation worse, regardless of how many troops in the broader party you believe will go over the top for you.’
LIZ MCINNES SHADOW FOREIGN MINISTER
‘I could no longer serve a leader who appeared to be putting his own interests ahead of the party.’
FABIAN HAMILTON SHADOW DEFENCE MINISTER
‘I was very concerned about the treatment of a Jewish MP by a party member at the launch of the report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.’
KARL TURNER OPPOSITION WHIP
‘It has become increasingly clear that you do not hold the support of the shadow cabinet and the wider Parliamentary Labour Party.’
EMMA LEWELL-BUCK SHADOW CHILDREN’S MINISTER
‘I remain angry that a meltdown has been orchestrated by the Labour Party. I am sad and worried about the future of the party.’
NIC DAKIN OPPOSITION WHIP
‘You no longer have my confidence so I will not be able to support you.’
WAYNE DAVID SHADOW ARMED FORCES MINISTER
‘I am deeply concerned that you and your office made sustained efforts to dilute the party’s positive message during the referendum campaign. It is now clear that under your leadership the prospects are not good.’
ROBERTA BLACKMAN-WOODS SHADOW HOUSING MINISTER
‘You could, and should, have shown more decisive and visionary leadership and your failure to step down means that I must. I no longer have confidence in you as a leader.’
NICK THOMAS-SYMONDS SHADOW SOLICITOR GENERAL
‘I have very reluctantly drawn the conclusion that a different leader is required, and I am very sorry to say that I have lost confidence in your ability to unite the party.’
MATTHEW PENNYCOOK SHADOW BREXIT MINISTER
‘The task ahead will require compelling leadership that can command the support of both our mem- bers and the Parliamentary Labour Party. I no longer believe that you can provide that leadership.’
PAT GLASS SHADOW TRANSPORT MINISTER
‘It is with a heavy heart that I have today resigned. My dream job but the situation is untenable.’
ANDY SLAUGHTER SHADOW LONDON MINISTER
‘I don’t think you are the best person to maximise support in the country.’
ALAN WHITEHEAD SHADOW ENERGY MINISTER
‘You are a good, decent, committed person but not the right person to lead the Opposition.’