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Jeremy Corbyn's future: Labour leadership election rules Jeremy Corbyn's future: Labour leadership election rules
(2 days later)
Jeremy Corbyn is facing a leadership challenge, having lost a vote of no confidence among Labour MPs by 172 votes to 40 and seen dozens of resignations from his front bench team. He says he will carry on, having been backed by nearly 60% of Labour members last year. So why is there an uprising against him and could it eventually force him out? And what are the rules around a Labour leadership election? Jeremy Corbyn is facing a leadership challenge, having lost a vote of no confidence among Labour MPs by 172 votes to 40 and had dozens of resignations from his front bench team. He says he will carry on, having been backed by nearly 60% of Labour members last year. So why is there an uprising against him and could it eventually force him out? And what are the rules around a Labour leadership election?
Why is Jeremy Corbyn under pressure?Why is Jeremy Corbyn under pressure?
Jeremy Corbyn has always had relatively little support among the party's 232 MPs. In the leadership contest last year candidates had to be nominated by 35 Labour MPs to go through to the wider vote of party members. Mr Corbyn only managed to get the backing of that many after some Labour MPs - including London mayor Sadiq Khan - decided to nominate him to "widen the debate" by ensuring there was a left-wing Labour voice in the contest.Jeremy Corbyn has always had relatively little support among the party's 232 MPs. In the leadership contest last year candidates had to be nominated by 35 Labour MPs to go through to the wider vote of party members. Mr Corbyn only managed to get the backing of that many after some Labour MPs - including London mayor Sadiq Khan - decided to nominate him to "widen the debate" by ensuring there was a left-wing Labour voice in the contest.
Although he was seen as the outsider in the contest when it moved to the wider vote of party members and the new "£3 supporters", Jeremy Corbyn surprised commentators and the party's top brass as he surged through to be elected leader of the Labour Party last September. The veteran MP and campaigner, from the Labour left which had been marginalised in the party for three decades, won 59.5% of the votes in the contest. Although he was seen as the outsider in the contest when it moved to the wider vote of party members and the new "£3 supporters", Jeremy Corbyn surprised commentators and the party's top brass as he surged through to be elected leader of the Labour Party last September. The veteran MP and campaigner from the Labour left, which had been marginalised in the party for three decades, won 59.5% of the votes in the contest.
That victory included overwhelming support from all the groups who voted in the contest - party members, affiliated supporters - including trade unionists - and registered supporters who rallied behind his anti-austerity message and promise of a new politics.That victory included overwhelming support from all the groups who voted in the contest - party members, affiliated supporters - including trade unionists - and registered supporters who rallied behind his anti-austerity message and promise of a new politics.
As leader Labour has won the by-elections in seats it has defended but had what was judged to be a disappointing set of results in May's elections around the UK and the trigger for the move against him was the UK's vote to leave the EU. Labour rebels say they felt Mr Corbyn - the most Eurosceptic Labour leader for 30 years - had not shown enough enthusiasm and leadership during the campaign, despite arguing for a Remain vote. With Mr Corbyn as leader, Labour has won the by-elections in seats it has defended. But it has also had what was judged to be a disappointing set of results in May's elections around the UK. The trigger for the move against him was the UK's vote to leave the EU. Labour rebels say they felt Mr Corbyn - the most Eurosceptic Labour leader for 30 years - had not shown enough enthusiasm and leadership during the campaign, despite arguing for a Remain vote.
Dozens of members of Mr Corbyn's frontbench team have walked out since Hilary Benn was sacked on 26 June, saying he cannot win a general election. The Labour leader has said he will carry on, replacing them with colleagues who are more sympathetic to his political views. Dozens of Mr Corbyn's frontbench team have walked out since Hilary Benn was sacked on 26 June, saying he cannot win a general election. The Labour leader has said he will carry on, replacing them with colleagues who are more sympathetic to his political views.
What are Jeremy Corbyn's allies saying?What are Jeremy Corbyn's allies saying?
Mr Corbyn's allies said the vote of no confidence on 28 June, which he lost by 172 votes to 40, was "unconstitutional" and have challenged his opponents to "shut up or put up" by standing against him if they can muster enough support. Mr Corbyn's allies said the vote of no confidence on 28 June, which he lost by 172 votes to 40, was "unconstitutional" and challenged his opponents to "shut up or put up" by standing against him if they could muster enough support.
They argue his election victory last year gave him the biggest mandate of any opposition Labour leader in history and say he is more in touch with Labour voters' views on a range of issues, including the economy, defence and Europe, than MPs in the centre and centre-right of the party. They argued his election victory last year gave him the biggest mandate of any opposition Labour leader in history and say he is more in touch with Labour voters' views on a range of issues, including the economy, defence and Europe, than MPs in the centre and centre-right of the party.
Mr Corbyn has urged people to "unite" behind him at a critical moment for the country: "I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning."Mr Corbyn has urged people to "unite" behind him at a critical moment for the country: "I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning."
Allies insist that he is "not going anywhere" and that Mr Corbyn wants to lead the party into the next general election. They say that after the Brexit vote and in the midst of a Conservative Party leadership contest, Labour should be focusing on opposing the government rather than getting involved in internal party battles.Allies insist that he is "not going anywhere" and that Mr Corbyn wants to lead the party into the next general election. They say that after the Brexit vote and in the midst of a Conservative Party leadership contest, Labour should be focusing on opposing the government rather than getting involved in internal party battles.
The next general election is not due to take place until 2020 but there is a growing feeling that with the election of a new Tory leader and PM in the wake of the Brexit vote, that it could happen a lot sooner - potentially within the next year. The next general election is not due to take place until 2020. New Tory leader and PM Theresa May has said she will not call an early election, but she may yet face pressure to do so - potentially within the next year.
Can a sitting leader of the party be challenged?Can a sitting leader of the party be challenged?
In short, yes, but there are hurdles to overcome.In short, yes, but there are hurdles to overcome.
Anyone wishing to challenge Mr Corbyn needs the backing of 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs. Currently there are 231 Labour MPs and 20 Labour MEPs so any potential candidate needs the formal support of 51 of them.Anyone wishing to challenge Mr Corbyn needs the backing of 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs. Currently there are 231 Labour MPs and 20 Labour MEPs so any potential candidate needs the formal support of 51 of them.
If a nominee secures this level of support they must then write to Labour's general secretary Iain McNicol announcing their intention to run.If a nominee secures this level of support they must then write to Labour's general secretary Iain McNicol announcing their intention to run.
Angela Eagle has said she has the required backing and is launching a challenge. Owen Smith is thought to be considering a bid. Angela Eagle, who was shadow business secretary until she joined the post-referendum shadow cabinet resignations, has launched a challenge. Former shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith has also said he will stand.
Critics of Mr Corbyn are said to want to rally round one candidate - in this case it appears to be Angela Eagle, who was shadow business secretary until she joined the post-referendum shadow cabinet resignations. The party will announce the election timetable shortly, but the contest is expected to take two months, with the winner expected to be announced on the eve of the Labour Party conference on 24 September.
The contest would then likely be decided at the party's annual conference in late September. There is no official mechanism to call an emergency conference before this. Why is Mr Corbyn automatically on the ballot paper?
However, Labour's NEC - the party's ruling body - can informally call a conference at any time and would be expected to if there was a major revolt taking place within the Parliamentary Labour Party. The party's National Executive Committee has ruled that Jeremy Corbyn will be automatically included on the ballot in Labour's leadership contest.
The timetable of any leadership election would be decided solely by the NEC and would be expected to be conducted under the rules used to elect Mr Corbyn last year. Voting would take place on a one-member-one-vote basis with Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and £3 registered supporters all having a say. The winner would need 50% of the votes cast, plus one. The secret NEC vote went 18-14 in the Labour leader's favour following hours of talks.
Is there any barrier to Mr Corbyn taking part? However, some anti-Corbyn factions in the party believe he should not automatically have been allowed onto the ballot.
This is the big issue. Supporters of Mr Corbyn say if he is challenged he will simply stand again and expect to win, with many commentators agreeing. However, there are different opinions on whether Mr Corbyn would have the automatic right to do this. They pointed to a Times article in November 2015 which reported that legal advice had been sought by the party which suggested a sitting leader would need to receive nominations from MPs and MEPs in order to stand again.
Pro-Corbyn factions within the parliamentary Labour Party say as leader he will automatically be on the ballot paper, but others dispute this. It is possible that they could launch a legal challenge against the decision.
They point to a Times article in November 2015 which reported that legal advice had been sought by the party which suggested a sitting leader would need to receive nominations from MPs and MEPs in order to stand again. The only time since 1945 that a sitting Labour leader has been challenged was in 1988 when Tony Benn sought to topple Neil Kinnock. Neil Kinnock says he had to be endorsed by members of the Parliamentary Labour Party in order to get on the ballot paper - which some argue has set a precedent. Mr Corbyn says the electoral college system in place in 1988 has been replaced by "one member one vote" and says the rules are "absolutely clear" that "the existing leader, if challenged, should be on the ballot paper anyway".
The only time since 1945 that a sitting Labour leader has been challenged was in 1988 when Tony Benn sought to topple Neil Kinnock. Neil Kinnock says he had to be endorsed by members of the PLP in order to get on the ballot - which some argue has set a precedent. Mr Corbyn says the electoral college system in place in 1988 has been replaced by "one member one vote" and says the rules are "absolutely clear" that "the existing leader, if challenged, should be on the ballot paper anyway". Who can vote in Labour leadership contest?
The issue is crucial because Mr Corbyn could struggle to get 50 nominations, if they were needed. Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and so-called registered supporters are able to vote, although there are some key differences from the 2015 contest which Jeremy Corbyn won.
As mentioned earlier, in last year's contest, he only got on to the ballot paper - when he needed 35 nominations - at the last minute because a number of MPs who had no intention of voting for him supported him to broaden out the contest and give the left of the party a voice.
What does the rule book say?
Two different and completely contradictory bits of legal advice have been obtained. Who's right? This is the key passage in the party rule book (the PLP means Labour MPs and the EPLP means Members of the European Parliament)
ii: Where there is no vacancy nominations may be sought by potential challengers each year prior to the annual session of Party conference. In this case any nomination must be supported by 20% of the combined Commons members of the PLP and members of the EPLP. Nominations not attaining this threshold shall be null and void.
Do the words "in this case any nomination" apply only to challengers, or do they suggest the sitting leader needs the backing of MPs and MEPs too?
Don't be fooled into thinking this is just a legal dispute though; the rulebook is another battleground for a bitter political scrap.
Labour's ruling committee, the NEC, will decide and their decision may then be challenged in court. Whatever the result, the losing side in the dispute won't cheerfully accept it. Those trying to replace Corbyn argue any leader who can't get the support of 20% - just 51 - of his MPs is a pretty hopeless leader. The other side say the argument shows the Labour leader's challengers are afraid of a fair fight.
What happens if Jeremy Corbyn resigns?What happens if Jeremy Corbyn resigns?
If Mr Corbyn resigns, there would likely be a leadership election although there has been some talk about deputy leader Tom Watson taking over on an interim basis.If Mr Corbyn resigns, there would likely be a leadership election although there has been some talk about deputy leader Tom Watson taking over on an interim basis.
If a vacancy occurs while the party is in opposition and a leadership election is called, any candidate needs to secure the backing of 15% of the Parliamentary Labour Party or Labour MEPs - 38 in total - in order to put his or her name forward.If a vacancy occurs while the party is in opposition and a leadership election is called, any candidate needs to secure the backing of 15% of the Parliamentary Labour Party or Labour MEPs - 38 in total - in order to put his or her name forward.
The contest would then be decided at a special conference.The contest would then be decided at a special conference.
Voting would again take place on a one-member-one-vote basis, with Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and registered supporters all having a say. The winner would need 50% of the votes cast plus one.Voting would again take place on a one-member-one-vote basis, with Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and registered supporters all having a say. The winner would need 50% of the votes cast plus one.