Corbyn’s ragbag team of C-listers
JEREMY Corbyn’s extreme Leftwing views hugely narrowed the field of those willing to serve him. Here, JAMES SLACK looks at the ragbag selection of MPs who will fill the key posts in his alternative Government, how Left they are and how likely they are to rebel.
JOHN McDONNELL
SHADOW CHANCELLOR Who? Hard-Left firebrand whose ambition is to ‘ferment the overthrow of capitalism’. He has supported the IRA, said he would have l i ked to assassinate Thatcher and is prepared to ‘swim through vomit’ to oppose t he Government’s welfare reforms. Wants 70 per cent tax for highest earners. Will only rebel if Corbyn is not Left-wing enough, though voting with his party’s whip will be a novel experience. Loony Left rating: 5/5 Rebel rating: 1/5
DIANE ABBOTT
INTERNATIONAL AID Who? Key figure in Corbyn campaign who is also from the party’s hard Left, though this didn’t stop her sending her son to private school. A regular on TV, she’s more likely to be fired for a gaffe than flounce out in protest at the new leader’s politics. Loony Left rating: 5/5 Rebel rating: 1/5
CHRIS BRYANT
LEADER OF THE COMMONS Who? Most famous for posing in his underpants on a dating website. Turned down defence brief over disagreements with Corbyn on Nato membership and Russia. Has led the charge for State regulation of the Press – which will make him popular with a leader who has repeatedly shown his displeasure with journalists. Loony Left rating: 2/5 Rebel rating: 4/5
LUCY POWELL
EDUCATION Who? As an ex-spin doctor for the Britain in Europe campaign, she’s a million miles from Corbyn’s anti-EU beliefs. Otherwise on the party’s Left, she must feel lucky to have a job at all after playing a key role in Ed Miliband’s election campaign. Farcically, she had never spoken to Corbyn until the weekend. Loony Left rating: 4/5 Rebel rating: 2/5
KERRY MCCARTHY
ENVIRONMENT Who? Memorable only for her gaffes. To date, she has received a police caution for breaking election law and dubbed a train passenger playing loud music ‘a lager drinking oaf ’ who should ‘have been killed before he could breed’. Most strikingly, she is a vegan and vocal animal rights campaigner who hasn’t eaten meat for 20 years. It’s good news for badgers – but major rows beckon with farmers. Loony Left rating: 4/5 Rebel rating: 2/5
HEIDI ALEXANDER
HEALTH Who? Who indeed. An MP for five years, she was anonymous – reaching the not so dizzy heights of whip under Ed Miliband. Qualification for one of the Labour’s biggest jobs appears to be the fact she campaigned against closure of her local A&E in Lewisham. Says private sector should have only a ‘very, very limited role’ in the NHS – which might still be too much for Corbyn. Loony Left rating: 3/5 Rebel rating: 1/5 (happy just to be there).
ANDY BURNHAM –
HOME OFFICE Who? Impossible to know what the former Blairite stands for, as he changes his mind to suit the prevailing mood. Veered Left in the leadership contest, for which he was initially hot favourite. He was once the minister in charge of ID cards so he’ll need to be flexible working for a boss who thinks counter-terrorism legislation is far too draconian. Loony Left rating: 3/5 (this week) Rebel rating: 2/5
VERNON COAKER
NORTHERN IRELAND Who? Popular moderate who served in the Brown Government. Heaven help him in talks with unionists, given Corbyn and McDonnell’s support for the IRA. Not a natural rebel but, as an exshadow defence secretary, he will find himself at odds on Trident. Loony Left rating: 1/5 Rebel rating 3/5
HILARY BENN
FOREIGN Who? His Left-wing father, Tony, would have been a far better fit, though Corbyn will be pleased this veteran of the Blair and Brown Governments has agreed to stay on. Shares his leader’s scepticism about the case for bombing in Syria but will need to bite hard if they are not to fall out at some stage over Russia, Nato and the benefits of EU membership. Loony Left rating: 2/5 Rebel rating: 4/5
ANGELA EAGLE
BUSINESS Who? Had been tipped f or shadow chancellor but must make do with standing in for Corbyn when he is absent for Prime Minister’s Questions. Has the ability to get under David Cameron’s skin – he was once accused of sexism for telling her to ‘calm down dear’. Would she make a better fist of it than McDonnell? Most Labour MPs - Hilary Benn among them - think anybody would.
Loony Left rating: 3/5 Rebel rating: 2/5
MARIA EAGLE
DEFENCE Who? Twin sister of Angela, she is a moderate who was happy to serve as a minister under Tony Blair and backed Yvette Cooper for the l eadership. She has repeatedly voted in favour of renewing Trident but must have agreed to swallow her principles. At best, she was second choice for the job – with Chris Bryant saying publicly that he turned it down. Loony Left rating: 2/5 Rebel rating: 2/5
LORD FALCONER
JUSTICE Who? Former flatmate of Tony Blair who was at the heart of the New Labour project. Loves being on TV and promoting fashionable causes, but may find some of Corbyn’s economic views too much to handle. Loony Left rating: 1/5 Rebel rating: 4/5