Corbyn ‘regrets’ MPs’ breakaway
JEREMY Corbyn has urged Labour to unite around his policies for social justice and a more equal society as he expressed “regret” over the resignation of seven of his MPs.
The Labour leader strongly defended his policy platform, but acknowledged that he needed to take his party with him if they were to succeed at the polls.
His comments came after one of the breakaway group, Chuka Umunna, signalled a new centre party could be formally created by the end of the year.
Mr Corbyn has been warned he faces more resignations by Labour MPs unless he gets a grip on the problem of anti-Semitism within the party’s ranks.
Speaking at a conference of manufacturers in London yesterday, Mr Corbyn said he was “disappointed” the seven had decided to quit the party in protest at his leadership.
“I hope they recognise that they were elected to Parliament on a manifesto that was based around investment in the future, was based around a more equal and fairer society and based around social justice,” he said.
“They were elected to carry out those policies, they decided to go somewhere else and I regret that because I want our party to be strong, I want our party to be united around the policies that we have put forward.”
Mr Corbyn sidestepped questions about a call from deputy leader Tom Watson for a shadow cabinet reshuffle to better reflect the breadth of opinion in the party.
He insisted, however, that he was open to discussion about the party’s policies and that he recognised the need to take people with him.
Earlier, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the “only disagreement” within the party was over the issue of Brexit, adding: “I think we are bringing people together on that.”
His comments came despite a stormy meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday in which the leadership was repeatedly criticised for failing to deal with the issue of anti-Semitism within the party.
Mr McDonnell did acknowledge, however, that the leadership needed to listen to critics within the party. He told Sky News: “We need a mammoth, massive listening exercise and (to) address some of those criticisms that have been made.”
He played down suggestions that as many as 36 Labour MPs had been considering a split.
Meanwhile, Mr Umunna indicated that he would like the breakaway group to evolve into an up-and-running centre party at the earliest opportunity.
“I would like to see us move as quickly as possible and certainly by the end of the year, but that’s my personal view,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
“There needs to be an alternative, so that’s perfectly possible. But I don’t get to determine this.”
Senior Labour MP Mary Creagh said she had been approached to join the breakaway, but had declined.