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EU referendum: Jeremy Corbyn vows to fight for leadership and reshape cabinet | EU referendum: Jeremy Corbyn vows to fight for leadership and reshape cabinet |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will stand in any new leadership election following the resignations of a string of shadow cabinet colleagues. | |
Shadow Commons leader Chris Bryant was the latest person to resign in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership over the EU referendum - and more are expected. | |
Mr Corbyn said he regretted those resignations and would reveal a reshaped cabinet on Monday. | |
Later, Labour MPs are due to discuss a no confidence motion against Mr Corbyn. | |
The motion was submitted by Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey, and a secret ballot could be held on Tuesday. | |
'Exit plan' | 'Exit plan' |
Mr Corbyn warned: "Those who want to change Labour's leadership will have to stand in a democratic election, in which I will be a candidate." | |
He also said he had been elected as leader with "an overwhelming mandate for a different kind of politics". | He also said he had been elected as leader with "an overwhelming mandate for a different kind of politics". |
"I am not going to betray the trust of those who voted for me - or the millions of supporters across the country who need Labour to represent them," he added. | "I am not going to betray the trust of those who voted for me - or the millions of supporters across the country who need Labour to represent them," he added. |
"Neither wing of the Tory government has an exit plan. Labour will now ensure that our reform agenda is at the heart of the negotiations that lie ahead. | |
"One clear message from last Thursday's vote is that millions of people feel shut out of a political and economic system that has let them down and scarred our country with grotesque levels of inequality." | "One clear message from last Thursday's vote is that millions of people feel shut out of a political and economic system that has let them down and scarred our country with grotesque levels of inequality." |
In other developments: | |
The mass resignations were triggered by the sacking of shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, in the early hours of Sunday, after he told Mr Corbyn he had lost confidence in him. | |
In a parting shot, Mr Bryant warned Mr Corbyn that he was in danger of going down in history as "the man who broke the Labour Party". | |
And prominent backbench MP Stephen Kinnock insisted Mr Corbyn would cost the party 60 seats at a possible snap autumn general election. | |
"I think there's a real risk that if we go into a general election before the end of this year with Jeremy as our leader we will lose somewhere between 30 and 60 trusted and valued colleagues," he told BBC Radio Four's The Westminster Hour. | |
But shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow cabinet members Andy Burnham, Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry have given Mr Corbyn their support despite the resignations. | |
Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has said he is "deeply disappointed" that Mr Benn had been sacked and "equally saddened" by the shadow cabinet resignations. | Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has said he is "deeply disappointed" that Mr Benn had been sacked and "equally saddened" by the shadow cabinet resignations. |
He said his focus was to "hold the Labour Party together in very turbulent times" and that he would meet Mr Corbyn on Monday to discuss the "way forward". | He said his focus was to "hold the Labour Party together in very turbulent times" and that he would meet Mr Corbyn on Monday to discuss the "way forward". |
Secret ballot | Secret ballot |
The series of shadow cabinet walkouts began on Sunday morning, hours after Mr Benn was sacked by the Labour leader. | The series of shadow cabinet walkouts began on Sunday morning, hours after Mr Benn was sacked by the Labour leader. |
Those who have resigned are: | |
Karl Turner, the shadow attorney general, also resigned. His is not a shadow cabinet post, but he attends meetings. | Karl Turner, the shadow attorney general, also resigned. His is not a shadow cabinet post, but he attends meetings. |
The Labour Party campaigned for Remain during the referendum, which saw the UK voting to leave the EU by 52% to 48% on Thursday. | The Labour Party campaigned for Remain during the referendum, which saw the UK voting to leave the EU by 52% to 48% on Thursday. |
But Mr Corbyn - who has been a long-standing critic of the EU and who is regarded as the most Eurosceptic Labour leader in years - has been accused by some in his party of not making the case for the EU forcefully enough. | But Mr Corbyn - who has been a long-standing critic of the EU and who is regarded as the most Eurosceptic Labour leader in years - has been accused by some in his party of not making the case for the EU forcefully enough. |
'Not a leader' | 'Not a leader' |
Meanwhile, a number of senior trade unionists on Labour's ruling national executive committee rallied in support of Mr Corbyn - including Unite leader Len McCluskey and Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union. | Meanwhile, a number of senior trade unionists on Labour's ruling national executive committee rallied in support of Mr Corbyn - including Unite leader Len McCluskey and Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union. |
And about 180,000 people have signed an online petition backing the Labour leader, who was elected last September in a landslide victory. | And about 180,000 people have signed an online petition backing the Labour leader, who was elected last September in a landslide victory. |
Speaking on Sunday's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Benn - who has ruled out any Labour leadership bid - said Mr Corbyn was "a good and decent man but he is not a leader". | Speaking on Sunday's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Benn - who has ruled out any Labour leadership bid - said Mr Corbyn was "a good and decent man but he is not a leader". |
"At this absolutely critical time for our country following the EU referendum result, the Labour Party needs strong and effective leadership to hold the government to account." | |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor | By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor |
The prime minister's resigned. No one knows who the next occupant of Number 10 will be. And today, some of the most senior figures in the Labour Party are trying to push their leader out, too. | The prime minister's resigned. No one knows who the next occupant of Number 10 will be. And today, some of the most senior figures in the Labour Party are trying to push their leader out, too. |
There have been concerns about Jeremy Corbyn's performance for months and months. But it was his role, or lack of role, in the campaign to keep the UK in the EU, and his sacking of Hilary Benn in the middle of the night, that has given members of the shadow cabinet the final reasons to quit. | There have been concerns about Jeremy Corbyn's performance for months and months. But it was his role, or lack of role, in the campaign to keep the UK in the EU, and his sacking of Hilary Benn in the middle of the night, that has given members of the shadow cabinet the final reasons to quit. |
Several have already gone, as many as half will be gone by the end of the day, I understand. | Several have already gone, as many as half will be gone by the end of the day, I understand. |
And documents passed to the BBC suggest how Jeremy Corbyn's office sought to delay and water down the Labour Remain campaign. Sources suggest that they are evidence of "deliberate sabotage". | And documents passed to the BBC suggest how Jeremy Corbyn's office sought to delay and water down the Labour Remain campaign. Sources suggest that they are evidence of "deliberate sabotage". |
Read more from Laura here. | Read more from Laura here. |
Hours after Mr Benn's sacking, Ms Alexander, who joined Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet last year, tweeted that she had resigned "with a heavy heart". | Hours after Mr Benn's sacking, Ms Alexander, who joined Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet last year, tweeted that she had resigned "with a heavy heart". |
In a letter to the Labour leader, she said she respected him "as a man of principle" but said "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". | In a letter to the Labour leader, she said she respected him "as a man of principle" but said "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". |
Elsewhere, Ms Powell said in her resignation letter to Mr Corbyn: "It is increasingly clear that your position is untenable and that you are unable to command the support of the shadow cabinet, the Parliamentary Labour Party and, most importantly, the country." | Elsewhere, Ms Powell said in her resignation letter to Mr Corbyn: "It is increasingly clear that your position is untenable and that you are unable to command the support of the shadow cabinet, the Parliamentary Labour Party and, most importantly, the country." |
But Mr McDonnell, speaking on Radio 5 live's Pienaar's Politics, was defiant, saying: "Jeremy is not going anywhere and will continue on." | But Mr McDonnell, speaking on Radio 5 live's Pienaar's Politics, was defiant, saying: "Jeremy is not going anywhere and will continue on." |
Shadow international development secretary Diane Abbott also gave Mr Corbyn her backing and played down the prospect of a no confidence vote - saying it was being pursued by a group of MPs who had never accepted Mr Corbyn's election. | Shadow international development secretary Diane Abbott also gave Mr Corbyn her backing and played down the prospect of a no confidence vote - saying it was being pursued by a group of MPs who had never accepted Mr Corbyn's election. |
Andy Burnham, who is running to be the Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, also said he would remain in Mr Corbyn's top team, saying now was not the time for the party to plunge itself into "civil war". | Andy Burnham, who is running to be the Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, also said he would remain in Mr Corbyn's top team, saying now was not the time for the party to plunge itself into "civil war". |
"I have never taken part in a coup against any leader of the Labour Party and I am not going to start now," he added. | "I have never taken part in a coup against any leader of the Labour Party and I am not going to start now," he added. |
And shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry said it was time for Labour to "show some leadership" and be a "centre of calm", adding: "We should be thinking about the nation first." | And shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry said it was time for Labour to "show some leadership" and be a "centre of calm", adding: "We should be thinking about the nation first." |
Meanwhile, Unite union general secretary Len McCluskey said a Labour leadership election would be "divisive and unnecessary". | Meanwhile, Unite union general secretary Len McCluskey said a Labour leadership election would be "divisive and unnecessary". |
Writing in the Guardian, he said: "Those Labour MPs plunging their party into an unwanted crisis are betraying not only the party itself but also our national interest at one of the most critical moments any of us can recall." | Writing in the Guardian, he said: "Those Labour MPs plunging their party into an unwanted crisis are betraying not only the party itself but also our national interest at one of the most critical moments any of us can recall." |
Labour Party key players - who's gone? | Labour Party key players - who's gone? |
Did you vote for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn? How do you feel now? Do you still support him or do you want to see a change in leadership? Let us know. | Did you vote for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn? How do you feel now? Do you still support him or do you want to see a change in leadership? Let us know. |
Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |