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| From welfare to Trident: top challenges facing Jeremy Corbyn | From welfare to Trident: top challenges facing Jeremy Corbyn |
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| Jeremy Corbyn celebrated his Labour leadership victory by attending a rally for refugees before having dinner with family and friends in a Mediterranean restaurant. But now the real challenges of leadership begin, with an inbox full of thorny issues of policy and party loyalty. These are some of the tasks Corbyn will face in his first few months as leader. | Jeremy Corbyn celebrated his Labour leadership victory by attending a rally for refugees before having dinner with family and friends in a Mediterranean restaurant. But now the real challenges of leadership begin, with an inbox full of thorny issues of policy and party loyalty. These are some of the tasks Corbyn will face in his first few months as leader. |
| Picking his shadow cabinet | Picking his shadow cabinet |
| This is the most pressing job facing Corbyn, as shadow ministers need to be in place to take positions on legislation in the House of Commons as soon as possible. Corbyn has been testing the water among colleagues about their willingness to serve under him over the last few days, and made his first appointment: Rosie Winterton is staying on as chief whip. | This is the most pressing job facing Corbyn, as shadow ministers need to be in place to take positions on legislation in the House of Commons as soon as possible. Corbyn has been testing the water among colleagues about their willingness to serve under him over the last few days, and made his first appointment: Rosie Winterton is staying on as chief whip. |
| After pulling out of a broadcast interview on Sunday morning, he addressed a small crowd in Islington for a mental health awareness event and then headed to Westminster around lunchtime to work on the task. | After pulling out of a broadcast interview on Sunday morning, he addressed a small crowd in Islington for a mental health awareness event and then headed to Westminster around lunchtime to work on the task. |
| Around a dozen former shadow ministers – including Yvette Cooper, Tristram Hunt, Emma Reynolds, Chris Leslie, Liz Kendall, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood, John Woodcock, Jamie Reed and Rachel Reeves – have said they do not want to be part of his top team. | Around a dozen former shadow ministers – including Yvette Cooper, Tristram Hunt, Emma Reynolds, Chris Leslie, Liz Kendall, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood, John Woodcock, Jamie Reed and Rachel Reeves – have said they do not want to be part of his top team. |
| Related: Tom Watson urges Corbyn to hold Labour debate on Trident and Nato | Related: Tom Watson urges Corbyn to hold Labour debate on Trident and Nato |
| The most important question is who will be Corbyn’s shadow chancellor – his loyal agent, John McDonnell, or the respected shadow leader of the house, Angela Eagle, who would provide gender balance in an otherwise male team. Other politicians tipped for key roles include former shadow ministers Jon Trickett, Diane Abbott and Chi Onwurah as well as newer faces like Richard Burgon and Cat Smith. Others such as Emily Thornberry, Liam Byrne, Chris Bryant, Lucy Powell, Mary Creagh and Gloria De Piero have indicated they could be willing to serve if asked. | The most important question is who will be Corbyn’s shadow chancellor – his loyal agent, John McDonnell, or the respected shadow leader of the house, Angela Eagle, who would provide gender balance in an otherwise male team. Other politicians tipped for key roles include former shadow ministers Jon Trickett, Diane Abbott and Chi Onwurah as well as newer faces like Richard Burgon and Cat Smith. Others such as Emily Thornberry, Liam Byrne, Chris Bryant, Lucy Powell, Mary Creagh and Gloria De Piero have indicated they could be willing to serve if asked. |
| Responding to the trade union bill | Responding to the trade union bill |
| This will be Labour’s first Commons test since Corbyn was elected leader. The bill placing restrictions on strikes is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday at the same time as the Trade Union Congress takes place in Bournemouth. Corbyn has said he intends to strongly oppose the legislation, which is hardly a difficult decision. | This will be Labour’s first Commons test since Corbyn was elected leader. The bill placing restrictions on strikes is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday at the same time as the Trade Union Congress takes place in Bournemouth. Corbyn has said he intends to strongly oppose the legislation, which is hardly a difficult decision. |
| What will be more interesting is the degree to which he backs the trade unions if they decide to embark on a string of strikes, call a general strike or pledge to defy the legislation and hold illegal strikes if it goes through. The new leader devoted a large proportion of his victory speech to thanking the trade unions who backed him, including Unite, Unison and the CWU. During the campaign he also indicated that he was in favour of laws being defied if they were bad. This would mark a significant change from previous Labour leaders, who were often squeamish about expressing support for striking workers. | What will be more interesting is the degree to which he backs the trade unions if they decide to embark on a string of strikes, call a general strike or pledge to defy the legislation and hold illegal strikes if it goes through. The new leader devoted a large proportion of his victory speech to thanking the trade unions who backed him, including Unite, Unison and the CWU. During the campaign he also indicated that he was in favour of laws being defied if they were bad. This would mark a significant change from previous Labour leaders, who were often squeamish about expressing support for striking workers. |
| It is also not clear who will speak for Labour on the legislation. Sajid Javid, the business secretary, will be leading the charge for the government. Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary, is technically still in post but it seems unlikely that Corbyn will want him to carry on given his remarks about the leader being unelectable. | It is also not clear who will speak for Labour on the legislation. Sajid Javid, the business secretary, will be leading the charge for the government. Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary, is technically still in post but it seems unlikely that Corbyn will want him to carry on given his remarks about the leader being unelectable. |
| Reacting to the national insurance contributions (rate ceilings) bill | Reacting to the national insurance contributions (rate ceilings) bill |
| It is not clear what Labour’s position will be on this legislation, which says there will be no rise in national insurance contributions for employers or employees this parliament. While it sounds fairly uncontroversial, the legislation may be difficult for Corbyn to support given that he has suggested introducing a 7% rate of national insurance on higher earners to fund scrapping fees. | It is not clear what Labour’s position will be on this legislation, which says there will be no rise in national insurance contributions for employers or employees this parliament. While it sounds fairly uncontroversial, the legislation may be difficult for Corbyn to support given that he has suggested introducing a 7% rate of national insurance on higher earners to fund scrapping fees. |
| George Osborne, the chancellor, will be introducing the legislation on Tuesday, so clearly it would be desirable for Corbyn to have appointed a shadow chancellor by then. If he has not done so, the job may fall to Leslie, who appears to be technically still in post. | George Osborne, the chancellor, will be introducing the legislation on Tuesday, so clearly it would be desirable for Corbyn to have appointed a shadow chancellor by then. If he has not done so, the job may fall to Leslie, who appears to be technically still in post. |
| Responding to the welfare bill | Responding to the welfare bill |
| One of the turning points in Corbyn’s campaign was the moment when the three other candidates abstained on the government’s welfare reform and work bill, which will lead to cuts in tax credits and disability benefits among others. The official Labour party policy, set by the then acting Labour leader, Harriet Harman, was not to vote against because the party agreed with the some parts of the legislation and needed to listen to voters who thought welfare needed further controls. | One of the turning points in Corbyn’s campaign was the moment when the three other candidates abstained on the government’s welfare reform and work bill, which will lead to cuts in tax credits and disability benefits among others. The official Labour party policy, set by the then acting Labour leader, Harriet Harman, was not to vote against because the party agreed with the some parts of the legislation and needed to listen to voters who thought welfare needed further controls. |
| However, Corbyn clearly takes a different view. As the bill’s committee stage continues this week, he will be expected to make some kind of statement about the shift in policy. Reeves, the shadow work and pensions secretary, has made clear she cannot serve under Corbyn. | However, Corbyn clearly takes a different view. As the bill’s committee stage continues this week, he will be expected to make some kind of statement about the shift in policy. Reeves, the shadow work and pensions secretary, has made clear she cannot serve under Corbyn. |
| Reforming PMQs | Reforming PMQs |
| Corbyn has already indicated he wants to do prime minister’s questions in a radically different way, even suggesting that he could rotate the position around colleagues. It is not clear how this would work, given it could give Cameron the opportunity to duck out in favour of deputies as well. Shadow cabinet ministers already debate each other at oral questions, so it is not clear what purpose this would serve. | Corbyn has already indicated he wants to do prime minister’s questions in a radically different way, even suggesting that he could rotate the position around colleagues. It is not clear how this would work, given it could give Cameron the opportunity to duck out in favour of deputies as well. Shadow cabinet ministers already debate each other at oral questions, so it is not clear what purpose this would serve. |
| Related: Jeremy Corbyn backs British membership of EU | Related: Jeremy Corbyn backs British membership of EU |
| Corbyn has, however, confirmed that he will appear at the dispatch box for the first session on Wednesday and he has already asked supporters to crowd-source the questions that he will ask the prime minister. There is also a suggestion that he could provide Cameron with the questions in advance so as to elicit a more reasoned and serious response than the usual Punch-and-Judy display. | Corbyn has, however, confirmed that he will appear at the dispatch box for the first session on Wednesday and he has already asked supporters to crowd-source the questions that he will ask the prime minister. There is also a suggestion that he could provide Cameron with the questions in advance so as to elicit a more reasoned and serious response than the usual Punch-and-Judy display. |
| Reorganising the party | Reorganising the party |
| Corbyn is clear he wants party members to make policy, instead of himself, the shadow cabinet and MPs. It is uncertain how he will do this – through the party conference this autumn, by polling them on each issue or simply asking them to send in ideas. It is also a central concern of Tom Watson, the deputy leader, to make the party more democratic and harness the huge influx of new members since the rise of Corbynmania. With little support among the parliamentary party, the new leader is likely to be thinking about how he can use his huge mandate among the membership to show MPs that he is the one who is in touch with the grassroots. | Corbyn is clear he wants party members to make policy, instead of himself, the shadow cabinet and MPs. It is uncertain how he will do this – through the party conference this autumn, by polling them on each issue or simply asking them to send in ideas. It is also a central concern of Tom Watson, the deputy leader, to make the party more democratic and harness the huge influx of new members since the rise of Corbynmania. With little support among the parliamentary party, the new leader is likely to be thinking about how he can use his huge mandate among the membership to show MPs that he is the one who is in touch with the grassroots. |
| Decision on the privy council | Decision on the privy council |
| It had been reported that Corbyn was unwilling to be appointed to the privy council because he is known as a republican. It now appears he has not ruled this out after all. This is an important point because there is a question mark over whether Labour would be designated Her Majesty’s most loyal opposition if Corbyn refused any links with the Queen. There has also been speculation that the party could lose its millions of pounds in public funding – the cash given to non-government parties to compensate for not being able to use the machinery of Whitehall – if it does not have this label. However, the legislation seems only to refer to the money going to the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength in the Commons. | It had been reported that Corbyn was unwilling to be appointed to the privy council because he is known as a republican. It now appears he has not ruled this out after all. This is an important point because there is a question mark over whether Labour would be designated Her Majesty’s most loyal opposition if Corbyn refused any links with the Queen. There has also been speculation that the party could lose its millions of pounds in public funding – the cash given to non-government parties to compensate for not being able to use the machinery of Whitehall – if it does not have this label. However, the legislation seems only to refer to the money going to the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength in the Commons. |
| Positioning on Europe and engagement with the yes campaign | Positioning on Europe and engagement with the yes campaign |
| At the beginning of the leadership campaign, Corbyn was equivocal on the issue of the EU, suggesting that, like the trade unions, he would not rule out campaigning for the UK to leave if Cameron tried to water down social protection for workers. | At the beginning of the leadership campaign, Corbyn was equivocal on the issue of the EU, suggesting that, like the trade unions, he would not rule out campaigning for the UK to leave if Cameron tried to water down social protection for workers. |
| However, he seems to be steering towards committing to the yes campaign, writing to pro-Europe MPs that he wants Labour to set out a reform agenda and, rather than walk away, “fight together for a better Europe”. The vast majority of Labour MPs are in favour of staying in, including Watson, who wasted no time in publicly making this clear. As the campaigns begin to take shape, with the no camp dominated by Tories and Ukip, and Labour’s yes camp led by the popular veteran Alan Johnson, Corbyn will come under pressure to make explicit his EU strategy soon. | However, he seems to be steering towards committing to the yes campaign, writing to pro-Europe MPs that he wants Labour to set out a reform agenda and, rather than walk away, “fight together for a better Europe”. The vast majority of Labour MPs are in favour of staying in, including Watson, who wasted no time in publicly making this clear. As the campaigns begin to take shape, with the no camp dominated by Tories and Ukip, and Labour’s yes camp led by the popular veteran Alan Johnson, Corbyn will come under pressure to make explicit his EU strategy soon. |
| Party conference speech | Party conference speech |
| This will be Corbyn’s big moment at which he will be expected to set out his vision for Labour opposing the Conservatives for the next five years and then winning the election in 2020. His audience is likely to be highly receptive given the huge surge in membership that helped to bring him victory. But his challenge will be to deliver a speech that does not just preach to the converted but starts to sow the seeds of interest in the minds of television viewers, who will probably see a brief news clip of him at most. | This will be Corbyn’s big moment at which he will be expected to set out his vision for Labour opposing the Conservatives for the next five years and then winning the election in 2020. His audience is likely to be highly receptive given the huge surge in membership that helped to bring him victory. But his challenge will be to deliver a speech that does not just preach to the converted but starts to sow the seeds of interest in the minds of television viewers, who will probably see a brief news clip of him at most. |
| Handling any government move to launch Syria strikes | Handling any government move to launch Syria strikes |
| After party conference season, this is the most likely moment for Cameron to make an attempt to get Commons support for Britain to extend airstrikes against Islamic State into Syria as well as Iraq. Ed Miliband’s opposition blocked this in the last parliament. But now Cameron has a slim majority, it is possible that MPs against the strikes in his own party could be outweighed by rebellious Labour MPs in favour of strikes and willing to cause trouble for their leader. | After party conference season, this is the most likely moment for Cameron to make an attempt to get Commons support for Britain to extend airstrikes against Islamic State into Syria as well as Iraq. Ed Miliband’s opposition blocked this in the last parliament. But now Cameron has a slim majority, it is possible that MPs against the strikes in his own party could be outweighed by rebellious Labour MPs in favour of strikes and willing to cause trouble for their leader. |
| Corbyn will undoubtedly be opposed to military action. His challenge will be to persuade his party to get behind him and show some loyalty, even though he cannot be said to have offered this to previous leaders of the Labour party. | Corbyn will undoubtedly be opposed to military action. His challenge will be to persuade his party to get behind him and show some loyalty, even though he cannot be said to have offered this to previous leaders of the Labour party. |
| Response to the immigration bill | Response to the immigration bill |
| The government has promised to bring forward an immigration bill to create a criminal offence of illegal working, with consequences for people’s earnings, and extend the principle of “deport first, appeal later”. It will also require all foreign offenders released on bail to be tagged and make it illegal for employment agencies to recruit solely from abroad. Controlling immigration has soared to the top of public concerns following the refugee crisis in mainland Europe, with many Labour MPs nervous about the possible loss of support to Ukip if the party does not accept the public mood about helping refugees but otherwise controlling borders. But Corbyn has indicated at hustings that he welcomes immigration and it seems inconceivable he will do anything other than oppose the government’s legislation on this issue, although it is yet to be formally published. | The government has promised to bring forward an immigration bill to create a criminal offence of illegal working, with consequences for people’s earnings, and extend the principle of “deport first, appeal later”. It will also require all foreign offenders released on bail to be tagged and make it illegal for employment agencies to recruit solely from abroad. Controlling immigration has soared to the top of public concerns following the refugee crisis in mainland Europe, with many Labour MPs nervous about the possible loss of support to Ukip if the party does not accept the public mood about helping refugees but otherwise controlling borders. But Corbyn has indicated at hustings that he welcomes immigration and it seems inconceivable he will do anything other than oppose the government’s legislation on this issue, although it is yet to be formally published. |
| React to surveillance legislation | React to surveillance legislation |
| The home secretary, Theresa May, is due to unveil plans for surveillance legislation that may contain revived elements of the snooper’s charter that was blocked by the Liberal Democrats. If Corbyn chose to oppose this, it would mark a very different direction for Labour on civil liberties, drawing a clear line under previous home affairs policies such as ID cards and 42-day detention. | The home secretary, Theresa May, is due to unveil plans for surveillance legislation that may contain revived elements of the snooper’s charter that was blocked by the Liberal Democrats. If Corbyn chose to oppose this, it would mark a very different direction for Labour on civil liberties, drawing a clear line under previous home affairs policies such as ID cards and 42-day detention. |
| Trident | Trident |
| Corbyn is firmly opposed to renewing the Trident nuclear programme but it is a dealbreaker for some MPs who might otherwise be tempted to serve in his shadow cabinet. Watson was one of those who was quick off the mark to say he was in favour of it on Sunday. With a decision on renewal due in 2016, Corbyn will need to make clear whether he expects all his senior colleagues to maintain the same opposition as he does. It also presents an opportunity for the Labour leader to work with the SNP to challenge the government. | Corbyn is firmly opposed to renewing the Trident nuclear programme but it is a dealbreaker for some MPs who might otherwise be tempted to serve in his shadow cabinet. Watson was one of those who was quick off the mark to say he was in favour of it on Sunday. With a decision on renewal due in 2016, Corbyn will need to make clear whether he expects all his senior colleagues to maintain the same opposition as he does. It also presents an opportunity for the Labour leader to work with the SNP to challenge the government. |