Jeremy Corbyn accused of leaving colleagues ‘hanging out to dry’

Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of leaving colleagues “hanging out to dry” after refusing to intervene in alleged attempts by Momentum activists to deselect disloyal MPs so they can not fight the next general election.

“A lot of people say lots of things in the heat of the moment”, he explained.

Speaking on the Peston on Sunday programme, Mr Balls added: “It reminds me of past Labour politicians saying the electorate are not getting it but finally they’ll wake up that we’re right”. We certainly can’t carry on as we did.

She added: “But I would like to see us talk not just among ourselves, but talk with the public as unless we do that, we won’t be able to win elections”.

“Whether they’re going to love me at the end of it?”

“If Labour party members re-elect me that will be my second mandate in a year, from a hugely increased membership”.

“There is a growing belief in society that too much policy making is top down, there’s too much elitism in politics and there has to be a much greater representation of the views of members of the party, who, after all, raise the funds, knock on doors, deliver leaflets, and deliver election results on which Labour MPs rely”.

While he has a hardcore membership following, MPs and even the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan have said if Corbyn stays as leader, Labour has no chance of bringing the party to power during the next general election.

He told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: ‘Deselection hasn’t come up, as I understand, as an issue but if it does, as far as I’m concerned that’s a democratic choice for our members’.

Mr Smith accused Mr Corbyn’s hard left supporters in Momentum of seeking to gain control of the party through a campaign of bullying and intimidation.

His leadership rival Owen Smith claimed the pro-Corbyn pressure group is actively attempting to take over local parties and force mandatory re-selections for critics, citing the example of Hove MP Peter Kyle.

The Labour leader revealed he has been working on his presentation, which MPs have been highly critical of over the past year. “Probably. It’s something I want to develop”.

Five former frontbenchers have said they would resume their posts if asked to by Mr Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn admitted “of course I’ve made mistakes” today as he invited rebel MPs back into the fold.

Momentum national organiser James Schneider told Sky News the group had no intention of deselecting MPs.

Party officials are due to discuss the MPs plan on Tuesday ahead of the party conference next weekend but Mr Corbyn is set to exploit the move by proposing party activists get a say as well. “We are not campaigning for mandatory selection”.