Brexit crisis hits UK Labour opposition as revolt threatens Corbyn leadership
- 8 years ago
Since the recent show of unity following the
murder of the British MP Jo Cox, Brexit has brought down Prime Minister David Cameron, who says he will quit by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.
Now Britain’s opposition Labour Party is also in open turmoil following the dismissal of shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who had told leader Jeremy Corbyn he had no confidence in his leadership.
It was suggested that Benn had been plotting an internal coup. He had been at odds with Corbyn and last December angered his leader by giving a passionate speech in Parliament arguing for military action against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Syria.
His sacking has brought reports that up to half the opposition front-bench team may quit in protest.
Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander was first to resign, saying the country needed an effective opposition to hold the government to account.
It is with a heavy heart that I have this morning resigned from the Shadow Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/amBRk30RtR— Heidi Alexander (@heidi_mp) June 26, 2016
But despite the calls for him to step down, Corbyn’s close allies say he is staying put.
The Labour leader faces a vote of no confidence among his own MPs over allegations he fought a lukewarm referendum campaign in defence of Britain’s EU membership.
Corbyn argued it was better to be in the EU to protect workers’ rights. The message was totally rejected by voters in Labour’s traditional heartlands in central and northern England, where people voted massively to leave the European Union.
murder of the British MP Jo Cox, Brexit has brought down Prime Minister David Cameron, who says he will quit by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.
Now Britain’s opposition Labour Party is also in open turmoil following the dismissal of shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who had told leader Jeremy Corbyn he had no confidence in his leadership.
It was suggested that Benn had been plotting an internal coup. He had been at odds with Corbyn and last December angered his leader by giving a passionate speech in Parliament arguing for military action against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Syria.
His sacking has brought reports that up to half the opposition front-bench team may quit in protest.
Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander was first to resign, saying the country needed an effective opposition to hold the government to account.
It is with a heavy heart that I have this morning resigned from the Shadow Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/amBRk30RtR— Heidi Alexander (@heidi_mp) June 26, 2016
But despite the calls for him to step down, Corbyn’s close allies say he is staying put.
The Labour leader faces a vote of no confidence among his own MPs over allegations he fought a lukewarm referendum campaign in defence of Britain’s EU membership.
Corbyn argued it was better to be in the EU to protect workers’ rights. The message was totally rejected by voters in Labour’s traditional heartlands in central and northern England, where people voted massively to leave the European Union.