Labour Party leader facing revolt over handling of Brexit vote
LONDON — Criticism of Jeremy Corbyn over his leadership of the opposition Labour Party has exploded into a mass revolt in the wake of the Brexit referendum.
Labour spokespeople on business, energy and pensions all resigned from the shadow cabinet on Monday along with at least 25 others, adding to 12 departures on Sunday. A no-confidence motion, tabled last week by Ann Coffey and Margaret Hodge, is set to be discussed at a meeting of Labour lawmakers Monday evening before a vote on Tuesday.
“You are not the right person to lead the party,” shadow business secretary Angela Eagle, the most senior Labour figure to desert Corbyn, wrote in her resignation letter, posted on Twitter. “You have lost the confidence of colleagues, and you have struggled to win the confidence of our voters and the wider public.”
In an effort to shore up his position, Corbyn announced 10 new appointments. Emily Thornberry was named as foreign-affairs spokesperson, replacing Hilary Benn, whom he fired on Sunday. Diane Abbott was appointed health spokesperson to replace Heidi Alexander, who resigned at the weekend.
Corbyn met with Deputy Leader Tom Watson on Monday. Watson told Corbyn that he’s lost his authority in the parliamentary party, while stopping short of calling for him to quit, the Guardian newspaper reported. Corbyn became leader in September with the backing of party members, but little support among Labour members of Parliament.
“I was elected by hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members and supporters with an overwhelming mandate for a different kind of politics.” Corbyn said in a statement..
“Those who want to change Labour’s leadership will have to stand in a democratic election, in which I will be a candidate.”