Labour rebellion grows as MPs refuse to support ‘unwinnable’ poll
Nine defy Corbyn in Commons and six announce they will not stand for re-election
JEREMY CORBYN faced a growing Labour rebellion last night after nearly a quarter of his MPs failed to back an early general election amid concerns the party will suffer “massive” losses.
Nine rebel Labour MPs voted against Theresa May’s motion to clear the way for a snap election despite the Labour leader’s call for them to back it.
Another 46 out of 229 Labour MPs did not vote yesterday, while the Scottish National Party (SNP) abstained. Despite their opposition, 522 MPs backed June’s vote.
It came as Gisela Stuart, one of the leaders of the Vote Leave campaign, announced she would step down as a Labour MP after suggesting that Theresa May was better equipped to win an election.
Last night one of the Labour rebels said he couldn’t in “all conscience” vote for an election when he knew his party would suffer across the country.
Jim Fitzpatrick said: “I am at odds with my party leadership in that they think that we might win the election, or at least hold our own.
“I think we are, as far as the opinion polls are concerned at present, likely to suffer a massive loss.
“I hope sincerely that they are right and I’m wrong but I couldn’t in all conscience vote for an election on Tory prime ministerial terms when I thought it wasn’t best for the country, the party, or my constituents.”
A total of 14 of the 25 Labour MPs who hold the smallest constituency majorities either voted against holding an election, or didn’t vote at all.
Another one of the nine Labour MPs who voted against the election revealed he had been forced to cancel his honeymoon to hit the campaign trail.
Clive Lewis, the former shadow cabinet minister, said he was “really sad”, but insisted that he rebelled in order to “embarrass” Mrs May for U-turning on her pledge not to hold an early vote.
It came as six Labour MPs announced they would not stand for elec- tion again, prompting a warning that Mr Corbyn could face an exodus as MPs decide they cannot defend his record on the doorstep.
One of those stepping down, Tom Blenkinsop, said his disagreements with Mr Corbyn meant he could not stand as a Labour candidate.
Alan Johnson, the former Labour home secretary, has also announced he will not seek re-election.
He was joined yesterday by Andrew Smith, the MP for Oxford East, Pat Glass, the MP for North West Durham, and Iain Wright, the Labour chair of the Business Select Committee.
Party sources told The Daily Telegraph that other MPs may follow suit and those who have served for a long time and others whose constituencies are under threat from the Conservatives are most likely to follow.
MPs have until 5pm today to tell their party whether or not they intend to stand again in their seats.
Labour is widely tipped to lose seats in June after polls showed the party trailing 20 points behind Theresa May’s Tories among voters.
It came amid reports that Yvette Cooper has begun taking soundings ahead of a bid to become the next Labour leader.
The veteran Labour MP has been meeting with senior former advisers to build a team to fight a leadership campaign which party insiders expect will follow a general election defeat.
There were also rumours circulating yesterday that her husband, Ed Balls, the former Shadow Chancellor, would make a return to politics.
Ms Cooper, the former Work and Pensions Secretary, has begun quietly seeking the backing of friends and colleagues for a campaign later this year, sources said.
It follows a rousing speech Ms Cooper delivered at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party earlier this week in which she made the case for MPs to fight hard to win the election.
She received a standing ovation for her words.
Her remarks were in stark contrast to those made by leader Mr Corbyn, who failed to mention winning at all.
Yesterday she also enjoyed a roar of approval from colleagues as she hit out at Theresa May over her election Uturn.