LONDON: The future of opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn looked shaky yesterday after two members of his top team quit and others seemed set to follow over his handling of Britain's EU referendum. Corbyn's allies said he had no intention of resigning, but the veteran socialist is facing a revolt over concerns that he is ill-equipped to deal with the fallout from Britain's seismic decision to quit the bloc.
"He's a good and decent man but he is not a leader, and that's the problem," Labour MP Hilary Benn told BBC television after being sacked as foreign affairs spokesman late Saturday for challenging Corbyn's leadership. Health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander resigned early yesterday, and media reports suggested that half the 30-strong shadow cabinet could follow her.
"As much as I respect you as a man of principle, I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding," Alexander wrote in her resignation letter to Corbyn, which she published on Twitter. One third of Labour voters chose to leave the European Union in Thursday's historic vote, against the advice of the majority of their party's MPs and the leadership.
Critics say Corbyn-who for decades had expressed eurosceptic views-could have done more to sway voters. Two Labour MPs tabled a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on Friday, which is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) today. But the veteran socialist has indicated he is going nowhere, as did his allies. Labour finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television: "He was elected nine months ago, the biggest mandate of any political leader in our country, and he is not going anywhere." "It's a stupid question. He's not going to stand down," the party's defense spokeswoman Emily Thornberry told Sky News television.
'Critical time'
Many Labour MPs have been critical of Corbyn since his unexpected election last September in a vote by party members. But the revolt over the EU, the resulting turmoil and the possibility of an early general election following the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron have focused their minds. "At this critical time for our country, following the result of the EU referendum, we need strong and effective leadership of the Labour Party that is capable of winning public support so that we can stand up for the people of Britain," Benn wrote in a statement.
The referendum result triggered a slump in the value of sterling and UK stocks, raised questions over the future of the EU and sparked a surge in support for Scottish independence. EU leaders are pressing for a hasty divorce, but Cameron said he would leave it to his successor to start exit negotiations, putting the process on hold for months. Any challenger to Corbyn would need the support of 20 percent of the party's 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members, who are strongly supportive of the leader.
It was not immediately clear who might stand against him. Benn ruled himself out, while McDonnell also said he would "never stand for the leadership". In a sign of the chaos, deputy Labour leader Tom Watson was reportedly trying to make his way back to London yesterday after attending Glastonbury music festival.
After Benn was sacked, other Labour MPs came out in his support. "This is sad news indeed and I cannot understand how Jeremy thinks it will help his worsening position with the PLP," Roberta Blackman-Woods tweeted. "The Labour shadow cabinet must now act to save the party and for the sake of the country. Otherwise we will never be forgiven," tweeted Ben Bradshaw. - AFP