Jeremy Corbyn attended his final Prime Minister’s Questions as the leader of the opposition yesterday in highly unusual circumstances as the UK remains in the grip of the coronavirus outbreak.
“The chamber was sparsely populated as MPs sat apart, and there was a changeover half way through as one set of backbenchers was replaced by another… but the choreography was the least of it,” says the BBC.
“Political sniping was almost totally absent, and where critical points about the government’s crisis-handling were made, they were made and responded to constructively.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Labour leader won his seat for the tenth time at the general election in December, but it was a disastrous showing overall for his party, prompting him to stand down after four and a half years in the job.
So what’s next for the MP for Islington North?
At his final PMQs, Corbyn vowed to continue “demanding justice for the people of this country – and indeed the rest of the world”, says Labour List.
He called on the British people to come together at this difficult time. “At a time of crisis no-one is an island. No-one is self-made.”
He added: “At times like this, Mr Speaker, we have to recognise the value of each other and the strength of a society that cares for each other and cares for all.”
After the Easter recess, it is assumed that Corbyn will return to the House of Commons backbenches. The new Labour leader will be announced on 4 April.
Asked what position he would take in a new Shadow Cabinet, Corbyn told the Islington Gazette in February: “I think foreign policy actually because I have spent my life on human rights justice and environmental justice issues. But that’s not up to me, that’s up to the next leader. I will be working on human rights, environmental and social justice whatever position I hold or don’t hold.”
A document called “Jeremy’s Forward Look Engagement Strategy”, leaked to The Sunday Times in January, showed that he planned to set up a new organisation called For The Few Foundation, its name taken from the 2017 election slogan: “For the many, not the few.” However, a source close to Corbyn said the plans were suggestions rather than agreed events.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What is his legacy as Labour Party leader?
Memorable moments during his leadership have included the “Ohhh, Jeremy Cor-byn” chant, to Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, which began in summer 2017; the lingering charge of anti-Semitism, which began in 2016 and never really went away; his on-the-fence stance on Brexit; and calls for renationalision of utilities and transport, with free broadband for all.
“Written off as a leftie beardie weirdie who could not win an election he proved us all wrong, by not winning the two,” wrote Matt Chorley in The Times. But Corbyn nevertheless managed to boost Labour membership to record levels.
“As for his legacy,” said Tom Harris in The Telegraph, “there are competing contenders: Labour’s renewed commitment to public ownership, Brexit, a party membership of more than half a million.
“But his defining legacy will surely be the fact that at PMQs today he was still standing on the opposition side, with his opponent, the prime minister, enjoying an 80-seat Commons majority and 50 per cent support in recent polls.”
-
5 museum-grade cartoons about Trump's Smithsonian purgeCartoons Artists take on institutional rebranding, exhibit interpretation, and more
-
Settling the West Bank: a death knell for a Palestine state?In the Spotlight The reality on the ground is that the annexation of the West Bank is all but a done deal
-
Sudoku medium: August 23, 2025The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
-
Are we facing a summer of riots?Today's Big Question Anti-immigrant unrest in Essex has sparked fears of a summer of disorder
-
Who stands to gain – and lose – from 16-year-old voters?Today's Big Question Many assume Labour will benefit but move could 'backfire' if Greens, a new hard-left party or Reform continue to pick up momentum
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Mortgage reform: is Rachel Reeves betting the house on City rules shake-up?Today's Big Question Reforms could create up to 36,000 additional mortgages next year
-
Corbynism returns: a new party on the LeftTalking Point Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's breakaway progressive party has already got off to a shaky start
-
How will Labour pay for welfare U-turn?Today's Big Question A dramatic concession to Labour rebels has left the government facing more fiscal dilemmas
-
Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?Today's Big Question Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?
