Fresh resignations heap pressure on United Kingdom opposition leader Corbyn

They follow 11 members of Corbyn’s shadow cabinet – the opposition party’s mirror government – who resigned Sunday after Corbyn fired Labour foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn for allegedly plotting against him. But it had been increasingly clear to me for some time that the Leadership is not in touch with the hopes, the fears and the aspirations of my local constituents.

“Over the next 24 hours I will reshape my shadow cabinet and announce a new leadership team to take forward Labour’s campaign for a fairer Britain – and to get the best deal with Europe for our people”, he added.

“I regret there have been resignations today from my shadow cabinet”.

He stressed that anyone who wanted to change the Labour leadership would have to stand in an election “in which I will be a candidate”.

All parties need to choose their leaders wisely, but in the chaos of the post-Brexit political meltdown, Labour needs to be extra careful. As you know, I did not vote for you to be Leader of the Labour Party but I agreed to serve on the frontbench because I believed that you could unite the Party around clear and relevant policies and provide strong leadership.

On Monday morning, deputy leader Tom Watson reportedly told Corbyn he would not be joining his new cabinet, saying the leader “no longer commands Labour members’ support”.

Many within Labour are deeply unhappy with how Corbyn managed the party’s efforts during the referendum campaign, with some even claiming that he attempted to “weaken and sabotage” the Remain vote.

Mr Corbyn believes he retains the backing of the grassroots activists who swept him to victory in 2015 and he also received fresh indications of support from union chiefs. Under Corbyn we have the promise of lower tuition fees, the reintroduction of grants and a leader who speaks directly to us. Despite continuing to hold the support of the party membership, parliamentary elites in the Labour party have sought to overturn the democratic will of the people by ousting Corbyn because they don’t like his style.

Junior frontbenchers including Diana Johnson, Anna Turley, Steve Reed, Yvonne Fovargue and Toby Perkins resigned as the protest against Mr Corbyn’s leadership continued, with some ministerial aides including Stephen Kinnock – the son of former Labour leader Lord Kinnock – also quitting.

The shadow Cabinet resignations include Lord Falconer, Vernon Coaker, Seema Malhotra, Kerry McCarthy, Lilian Greenwood, Heidi Alexander, Ian Murray, Gloria de Piero and Karl Turner.

“What we need is someone who can bring the Labour party together”.