This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/26/brexit-live-jeremy-corbyn-sacks-hilary-benn-tory-leadership

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Brexit live: Heidi Alexander first shadow minister to resign after Hilary Benn sacking Brexit live: Heidi Alexander first shadow minister to resign after Hilary Benn sacking
(35 minutes later)
9.44am BST
09:44
Anushka Asthana
This is from a shadow cabinet source.
I have been struck by the number of grassroots party members getting in touch with me over the last 24 hours who said they had voted for Jeremy but now he has to go.
9.43am BST
09:43
Corbyn won't resign, and would stand again in a second leadership election, an ally says
Anushka Asthana
According to one of Jeremy Corbyn’s allies, Corbyn will not resign. And if Labour MPs trigger a leadership challenge, Corbyn will stand again as a candidate. The source told me:
They don’t have a candidate, they don’t have a programme, they don’t have the supporters to win a leadership election, rather than just engage in self indulgent destabilisation. They should work with Labour leadership to respond to the a momentous national event that needs a united Labour party.
Jeremy is not going to resign, and if there is a challenge he will fight it.
Anyone that resigns can be replaced. It is obviously disappointing and a distraction. If they want to challenge Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership they can collect the nominations and stand. He will be standing for election.
9.39am BST
09:39
The Labour MP Ian Lucas is calling for Corbyn’s resignation, and he says his local party support him.
I told my Party I wanted Jeremy Corbyn to resign and they supported me. https://t.co/nwHAy3xtmC
9.36am BST
09:36
Hodge and Coffey write to Labour MPs saying party faces 'political oblivion' under Corbyn
Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey, the two Labour MPs who are calling for a vote of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, have written a joint letter to other Labour MPs saying the party faces the prospect of “political oblivion” under Corbyn’s leadership. It said:
If a general election is called later this year, which is a very real prospect, we believe that under Jeremy’s leadership we could be looking at political oblivion.
We all see at first-hand the terrible problems that exist in our constituencies and we can’t do anything about them while the Tories run the country.
We believe Jeremy is standing in the way and preventing us from securing the confidence of a majority of voters.
Ukip is targeting our traditional heartlands, not only do we need strong leadership to reconnect with these voters but also to make connections with those who voted to remain in the EU ...
We must never forget that adulation at rallies of activists hearing exactly what they want to hear is not a substitute for votes at the ballot box. We need to be able to communicate our passion with alienated voters who have shown their anger not their apathy. The lesson of Scotland should be at the front of everyone’s mind.
We believe that Jeremy needs to consider his position. Throughout the referendum campaign he did not show the leadership that the party or the country needed. When he did engage it was half-hearted and in the end Labour party members and voters didn’t know where the leader really stood on this crucial issue.
9.29am BST
09:29
Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, the Labour group for Corbyn supporters, and a very close ally of Corbyn’s, has been tweeting this morning. He was unhappy about Hilary Benn being invited on the Andrew Marr Show.
I hear BBC has taken John McDonnell off Marr to be replaced by Hilary Benn. What happened to supposed BBC balance? #BBCpoliticalbias
I’m told Marr has relented - McDonnell re-invited. It seems being conspired against does justify an interview https://t.co/LGR0BgGvrQ
And this is what he said about the Heidi Alexander resignation.
Heidi Alexander has resigned. Why do some shadow cabinet members think now’s the time for Labour MPs to engage in a war with the membership
9.26am BST
09:26
These are from the New Statesman’s George Eaton.
Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray expected to resign. Job would have to be filled by non-Scottish MP. https://t.co/u6n1T9WUHU
Diane Abbott promised post of shadow foreign secretary, Labour source tells me. https://t.co/u6n1T9WUHU
9.25am BST
09:25
Earlier I mentioned that Jeremy Corbyn was heckled at Pride. Craig Murray has an alternative view of what happened here, on his blog.
Updated
at 9.37am BST
9.23am BST
09:23
Hilary Benn, the former shadow foreign secretary, was doorstepped by reporters as he left his house this morning. He said:
We need strong and effective leadership of the Labour party. I told Jeremy Corbyn last night that I no longer had confidence in his leadership and he dismissed me from the shadow cabinet. I want to thank him for having given me the chance to serve our party.
He will be on the Andrew Marr Show later.
9.12am BST
09:12
This is from my colleague Anushka Asthana.
I suspect that people who will go include: Angela Eagle, Lucy Powell, Jonathan Ashworth, Lisa Nandy, Chris Bryant, Luciana, Gloria, Andy B.
Also - my suspicion: Charlie Falconer, Rosie Winterton, Ian Murray..
9.11am BST
09:11
Labour source: @jeremycorbyn won't have a Shadow Cabinet by the end of the day. And significantly no-one to replace them. So no opposition
There is a lot of ‘what if’ Labour speculation around this morning. What if half of the shadow cabinet does resign? Jeremy Corbyn probably could just about find enough supporters in the parliamentary Labour party to replace them, but it would be a struggle and the shadow cabinet would have a distinctive D-list look to it.
On Sky News, the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire has also been speculating about the Labour party in the country and the parliamentary Labour party electing different leaders.
Updated
at 9.12am BST
9.06am BST9.06am BST
09:0609:06
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
Sunday morning is often a busy time politically, but that is because it is dominated by set-piece political interviews on the TV programme. Instead this morning we’re in the midst of a dramatic running story; what is effectively a shadow cabinet coup against Jeremy Corbyn is underway. Colleagues are urging him to resign, but his office is saying he is not budging. He is engaged in a trial of strength with his party. It is possible that by the end of the day he may have resigned. Sunday morning is often a busy time politically, but that is because it is dominated by set-piece political interviews on the TV programmes. Instead, this morning we’re in the midst of a dramatic running story; what is effectively a shadow cabinet coup against Jeremy Corbyn is under way. Colleagues are urging him to resign, but his office is saying he is not budging. He is engaged in a trial of strength with his party. It is possible that by the end of the day he may have resigned.
Only a few weeks ago Labour MPs were discounting the possibility of a leadership challenge. That was partly because Labour’s performance in the local elections was not as bad as some people as predicted, but also because a YouGov survey of Labour members in May showed that Corbyn was even more popular with members in May than he was when he was elected in September last year. It said 64% of members would vote for him in another contest.Only a few weeks ago Labour MPs were discounting the possibility of a leadership challenge. That was partly because Labour’s performance in the local elections was not as bad as some people as predicted, but also because a YouGov survey of Labour members in May showed that Corbyn was even more popular with members in May than he was when he was elected in September last year. It said 64% of members would vote for him in another contest.
So what has changed? Two factors are crucial.So what has changed? Two factors are crucial.
First, there is general consensus that Corbyn’s performance in the EU referendum campaign was lacklustre. Labour party members (unlike Labour voters) are strongly in favour of EU membership, and it is widely felt that Corbyn did not pull his weight. This Politico.EU long read puts the case against him well. A measure of how much unhappiness this has caused is the fact that Corbyn was heckled when he spoke at Pride yesterday.First, there is general consensus that Corbyn’s performance in the EU referendum campaign was lacklustre. Labour party members (unlike Labour voters) are strongly in favour of EU membership, and it is widely felt that Corbyn did not pull his weight. This Politico.EU long read puts the case against him well. A measure of how much unhappiness this has caused is the fact that Corbyn was heckled when he spoke at Pride yesterday.
And, second, the vote for leave in the EU referendum has made the prospect of an early election much more likely, The Conservative party is due to elect a new leader by October, and it is thought that the new prime minister will want a fresh electoral mandate - particularly if he or she thinks Labour is in a weak position. In theory the Fixed-term Parliaments Act means that there will not be a general election until 2020, but a vote of two-thirds of MPs can over-ride that.And, second, the vote for leave in the EU referendum has made the prospect of an early election much more likely, The Conservative party is due to elect a new leader by October, and it is thought that the new prime minister will want a fresh electoral mandate - particularly if he or she thinks Labour is in a weak position. In theory the Fixed-term Parliaments Act means that there will not be a general election until 2020, but a vote of two-thirds of MPs can over-ride that.
9.05am BST
09:05
Claire Phipps
At this point, I will hand you over to Andrew Sparrow to follow all the latest developments, resignations and whatever else Sunday throws at us.
Thanks for reading and for all the comments.
9.03am BST
09:03
The BBC’s Marr show has begun, with host Andrew Marr asking:
What happens now, and is anybody in charge?
So it’s not just me, then.
Hilary Benn is due to be on the show this morning, as is shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
8.52am BST
08:52
The Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh says – of that list below – that Angela Eagle, Maria Eagle and Chris Bryant could all quit today, along with the shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham.
Lab MPs believe that Angela Eagle, Maria Eagle, Andy Burnham, Chris Bryant all set to follow Alexander and quit today.
But Waugh says Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, isn’t expected to follow them:
Angela Eagle is the most senior woman in the party, as shad 1st sec of state + PMQs deputy. No one expecting @tom_watson to quit tho
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.04am BST at 9.18am BST
8.50am BST
08:50
If – and it’s very much an if – Robert Peston is right that those who voted with Benn to back airstrikes on Syria last year are the ones who will now resign, here are the names of those who voted that way:
8.43am BST
08:43
'More than half' shadow cabinet to resign
Anushka Asthana
More than half of the Labour shadow cabinet is expected to stand down on Sunday in a major coup against Jeremy Corbyn, triggered by the result of the EU referendum and the leader’s decision to sack Hilary Benn.
The decision of Heidi Alexander, the shadow health secretary, to resign on Sunday morning is seen as hugely significant, because unlike Benn she was a more “loyal and pragmatic” member of the Corbyn team, a Labour source said:
She is seen as a moderate, practical and pragmatic voice. Hilary always had a problem with Jeremy. Now that Heidi’s gone, most of the shadow cabinet will step down. He can’t just replace those positions because other front bench ministers won’t step up to the roles.
Loyal members of shadow cabinet told the Guardian they were now writing their resignation letters in a coup that will be impossible for Corbyn to contain
Updated
at 8.43am BST
8.41am BST
08:41
Corbyn 'will not resign'
Jeremy Corbyn’s office has issued a defiant message:
There will be no resignation of a democratically elected leader with a strong mandate from the membership.
8.37am BST
08:37
Heidi Alexander resignation letter in full
Dear Jeremy,
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you to resign from the shadow cabinet.
The result of the referendum last week means that our country is facing unprecedented challenges.
Those who will be hit hardest by the economic shock associated with the vote to leave the EU need a strong opposition, as do those communities who fear rising levels of intolerance, hatred and division.
More than ever, our country needs an effective opposition which can hold the government to account and which is a capable of developing a credible and inspiring alternative to an increasingly rightwing and backward-looking Conservative party.
As much as I respect you as a man of principle, I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding and I believe that if we are to form the next government, a change of leadership is essential.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve in the shadow cabinet.
Yours sincerely,Heidi Alexander
8.33am BST
08:33
The Guardian’s political editor, Anushka Asthana, says:
Sources say Alexander’s resignation will trigger over half the shadow cabinet stepping down because she is seen as a more loyal and “pragmatic” member.
ITV News political editor Robert Peston also goes along with what we are hearing: that other shadow cabinet members are following Benn out of the door.
So the shadow cabinet members resigning with Hilary Benn are those who voted with him on Syria plus two others. They are calling it Jexit
8.29am BST
08:29
Chuka Umunna sounds less direct and more philosophical than most this morning, but this isn’t exactly a slap on the back for Corbyn:
Either you look your flaws in the face and address them or you stick your head in the sand, destroy the Labour Party and the country suffers
8.25am BST
08:25
Here is Heidi Alexander’s resignation, posted to Twitter just now:
It is with a heavy heart that I have this morning resigned from the Shadow Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/amBRk30RtR