Snub for Corbyn as Labour MPs defect over Brexit policy

SEVEN Labour MPs have quit over leader Jeremy Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and a row over anti-Semitism, saying Britain’s main opposition party has been “hijacked by the machine politics of the hard Left”.

In a direct challenge to Mr Corbyn, the seven centrist MPs said they were courting others from across parliament to join their group, saying “enough is enough” in keeping silent over their doubts about the Labour leader’s fitness for office.

United by a desire for a second referendum on Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, they acknowledged their resignations would not change the arithmetic in parliament, where there is, as yet, no majority for such a vote.

But their move underlines increasing frustration within Labour over Mr Corbyn’s reluctance to change his Brexit strategy — a preference for a new election or his own plan to leave the European bloc.

With only 39 days until Britain leaves the EU, divisions over Brexit have fragmented British politics, breaking down traditional party lines and creating new ad hoc coalitions.

“The Labour Party we joined that we campaigned for and believed in is no longer today’s Labour Party,” MP Chris Leslie said yesterday.

“It has now been hijacked by the machine politics of the hard Left.

“Evidence of Labour’s betrayal on Europe is now visible for all to see. Offering to actually enable this Government’s Brexit – constantly holding back from allowing the public a final say,” he said.

Some in the party have accused Mr Corbyn of failing to tackle anti-Semitism in the party since he took the helm.