Jeremy Corbyn warned more MPs could quit causing party split
Several Tories could also join Independent Group over Brexit dissatisfaction
Jeremy Corbyn has been warned that more Labour MPs could quit the party after seven Labour MPs left yesterday in a move described by Sky News as “potentially the most significant split in British politics for a generation”.
Following the departures yesterday, Ian Austin MP said others would "think hard" about leaving unless Labour addressed allegations of anti-Semitism.
During a “tense” and “heated” meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, chairman Ian Lavery faced “derision” when he said Corbyn is committed to rooting out anti-Semitism.
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.
Austin said Lavery had failed to "demonstrate the leadership" and "understand the scale of the problem we have" with anti-Semitism. "If that is the best the leadership can do, I can see more people taking the same course of action,” he added.
The BBC's political correspondent Ben Wright said MPs felt Lavery had “misjudged the mood” by delivering a “tub-thumping speech” about party pride.
In a video address, deputy leader Tom Watson said Corbyn must change direction to stop Labour splitting. Watson’s intervention, which The Times says “threatens a schism in the opposition”, saw him vow to pursue policies in the party’s “social democratic” tradition and push Corbyn to reshuffle his top team.
"I confess I feared this day would come,” he said. "And I fear now that unless we change, we may see more days like this.”
Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey Labour quit yesterday in protest at what they described as a culture of "bullying and bigotry" in the party and frustration over the leadership's approach to Brexit.
They have urged other Labour MPs - and members of other parties - to join them in "building a new politics".
A Conservative minister and four Tory backbenchers are reportedly poised to defect to the Independent Group. A minister has told the Daily Telegraph the breakaway group members are “remarkably sensible people” and said he would join the new party if the Government presses ahead with a no-deal Brexit.
The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said a small number of Conservatives were considering their futures. Among the Tories said to be considering their future are Heidi Allen, Sarah Wollaston, Antoinette Sandbach, Philip Lee and Justine Greening.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What might happen if Trump eliminates the Department Of Education?
Today's Big Question The president-elect says the federal education agency is on the chopping block
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Labour risking the 'special relationship'?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer forced to deny Donald Trump's formal complaint that Labour staffers are 'interfering' to help Harris campaign
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Men in Gray suits: why the plots against Starmer's top adviser?
Today's Big Question Increasingly damaging leaks about Sue Gray reflect 'bitter acrimony' over her role and power struggle in new government
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published