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Corbyn opponents told to 'take it on the chin' and stop sniping Corbyn opponents told to 'take it on the chin' and stop sniping
(35 minutes later)
The head of Britain’s third largest union has called for MPs who oppose the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader to leave the party if they plan to “snipe” and ponder their future in public.The head of Britain’s third largest union has called for MPs who oppose the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader to leave the party if they plan to “snipe” and ponder their future in public.
Sir Paul Kenny, the general secretary of the GMB, said parliamentary critics had every right not to want to serve in a shadow cabinet, but said they should leave rather than damage the party with speculation. Sir Paul Kenny, the general secretary of the GMB, said parliamentary critics had every right not to want to serve in a shadow cabinet but said they should leave rather than damage the party with speculation.
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His intervention came as delegates at the annual Trades Union Congress (TUC) gathered to digest Corbyn’s stunning victory on Saturday, when he won with 60% of the party’s vote, three times more than his nearest rival, Andy Burnham. His intervention came as delegates at the annual Trades Union Congress (TUC) gathered to digest Corbyn’s stunning victory on Saturday, when he won with almost 60% of the party’s vote, three times more than his nearest rival, Andy Burnham.
It follows a flurry of senior resignations from the shadow cabinet including the shadow chancellor, Chris Leslie, the shadow education minister, Tristram Hunt, and the shadow communities secretary, Emma Reynolds.It follows a flurry of senior resignations from the shadow cabinet including the shadow chancellor, Chris Leslie, the shadow education minister, Tristram Hunt, and the shadow communities secretary, Emma Reynolds.
Kenny said: “I understand why some people say they cannot serve in the shadow cabinet. I can respect that. But frankly, if they are going to spend the rest of whatever time it is time constantly sniping, talking about rumours of leaving, then the best thing they can do is go. Go off into the oblivion [like] previous splitters from the Labour party have done.”Kenny said: “I understand why some people say they cannot serve in the shadow cabinet. I can respect that. But frankly, if they are going to spend the rest of whatever time it is time constantly sniping, talking about rumours of leaving, then the best thing they can do is go. Go off into the oblivion [like] previous splitters from the Labour party have done.”
Kenny said MPs opposing Corbyn had every right to stay in the party if they intended to initially argue for different policies as long as they ultimately supported the party.Kenny said MPs opposing Corbyn had every right to stay in the party if they intended to initially argue for different policies as long as they ultimately supported the party.
“You can never suggest that [Corbyn doesn’t] want people to engage and have a different point of view.But ultimately, there has to be corporate discipline, There has to be an acceptance of what policy is,” he said. “You can never suggest that [Corbyn doesn’t] want people to engage and have a different point of view. But ultimately, there has to be corporate discipline, There has to be an acceptance of what policy is,” he said.
“Ultimately, under the [voting] system that everyone clapped and cheered for, 60% of people said they wanted Jeremy Corbyn as leader. Take it on the chin.”“Ultimately, under the [voting] system that everyone clapped and cheered for, 60% of people said they wanted Jeremy Corbyn as leader. Take it on the chin.”
Corbyn is facing high expectations that he will lead the Labour movement’s fight against the trade union bill ahead of its second reading in Parliament on Monday. Corbyn is facing high expectations that he will lead the Labour movement’s fight against the trade union bill ahead of its second reading in parliament on Monday.
Kenny brushed aside questions asking if GMB would support a general strike against the bill, but added that he would support “co-ordinated action” with other unions and would be personally prepared to break laws that criminalise union activists. “There will be a backlash,” he added.
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Kenny brushed aside questions asking if the GMB would support a general strike against the bill, but he added that he would support “coordinated action” with other unions and would be personally prepared to break laws that criminalise union activists. “There will be a backlash,” he added.
He also criticised Jamie Reed’s resignation as shadow health minister seconds after Corbyn’s speech ended. “I do think it was a bit disingenuous to do it while the speech was still going on,” he said.He also criticised Jamie Reed’s resignation as shadow health minister seconds after Corbyn’s speech ended. “I do think it was a bit disingenuous to do it while the speech was still going on,” he said.
Kenny declined to say whether he supported Corbyn, but added that he had spoken to him earlier this week about co-ordinating a campaign about disputes in Swindon and Teesside. “I am sure he will be involved,” he said. Kenny declined to say whether he supported Corbyn but added that he had spoken to him earlier this week about coordinating a campaign about disputes in Swindon and Teesside. “I am sure he will be involved,” he said.
At a separate press conference, Frances O’Grady, the head of the TUC, said the unions would “throw the kitchen sink” at the bill which, he said, would criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and choke off the flow of union funds to the Labour party. At a separate press conference, Frances O’Grady, the head of the TUC, said the unions would “throw the kitchen sink” at the trade union bill, which she said would criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and choke off the flow of union funds to the Labour party.