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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/29/brexit-live-sad-cameron-eu-immigration-corbyn-leadership
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Brexit live: Tom Watson says Jeremy Corbyn 'must go' as Labour leader | Brexit live: Tom Watson says Jeremy Corbyn 'must go' as Labour leader |
(35 minutes later) | |
8.33pm BST | |
20:33 | |
Jeremy Corby has arrived at the Momentum rally in central London, where the crowd has grown and may number up to 400 now, reports Jessica Elgot. | |
Corbyn is here now, crowd has grown quite a bit. Told reporters as he came in he is "very well, thanks" pic.twitter.com/S7hW9vooCm | |
He tells the crowd that he entered the Labour leadership race to raise issues such as the redistribution of wealth. | |
8.23pm BST | |
20:23 | |
Brexit campaign donor considers backing new party to replace Ukip | |
The Brexit campaign’s biggest financial donor has said he is considering backing a new political party taking in members of Ukip, Labour and the Conservatives. | |
In a sign that the referendum aftershocks already rocking the Conservative and Labour parties could be spreading to Ukip, the insurance multi-millionaire and Ukip funder Arron Banks criticised the party’s growth and proposed harnessing Brexit support in a new party. | |
When asked if Farage would be in charge, he said the Ukip leader “may have had enough”. | |
You can read that story from the Guardian’s Robert Booth, Alan Travis and Amelia Gentleman in full here. | |
Banks said: | |
I think we have a good shot at taking over from Labour as the opposition because Labour are imploding and Labour voters for the first time ever have defied their party, voting for leave. | |
8.13pm BST | |
20:13 | |
The Labour leader has received the backing of the 10 big affiliated labour unions, reports Michael Crick of Channel 4 News. | |
He reports that the unions said Corbyn’s position could not and should not be challenged except through proper and democratic procedures provided for in the party’s constitution. | |
Statement from ten big Labour Party backing Corbyn in his job, but not in very effusive terms pic.twitter.com/0Klb1Hby7H | |
Corbyn’s backers include the biggest civil service union, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS). | |
Its ruling body held an emergency meeting to discuss the political fallout from the EU referendum and the impact on its members’ jobs in the civil service and related agencies. | |
It noted Corbyn’s promise at the union’s annual conference last month to restore national pay negotiations in the civil service – something New Labour refused to do in 13 years – and to oppose further cuts to pay and redundancy terms, and repeal the Tories’ Trade Union Act. | |
Updated | |
at 8.23pm BST | |
8.08pm BST | |
20:08 | |
John McDonnell has described a meeting of the Labour parliamentary party as “like a lynch mob without a rope,” reports the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot, who was listening to the shadow chancellor earlier as he addressed a London rally organised by Momentum, the grouping set up by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn. | |
McDonnell told the rally: | |
The parliamentary Labour party meeting was not a meeting to enjoy, it was like a lynch mob without a rope. | |
MP after MP urged Jeremy to resign on the basis that we could not win an election with him in office. The irony is we were welcoming the winner of the Tooting byelection who doubled her majority. | |
They used the referendum as a chance to mount a coup. What is happening is a very British coup going on. | |
But I’ve been trying to explain to some members of the parliamentary Labour party that there’s an extremely recent Greek invention called democracy. This is a battle for democracy. | |
By far the biggest cheer is when McDonnell says Corbyn leadership will stop any more "military escapades" | |
Updated | |
at 8.20pm BST | |
7.47pm BST | 7.47pm BST |
19:47 | 19:47 |
Angela Eagle ally on leadership bid: 'We've got the numbers' | |
Heather Stewart | Heather Stewart |
Heather Stewart has news of tomorrow’s Angela Eagle bid | Heather Stewart has news of tomorrow’s Angela Eagle bid |
Angela Eagle is expected to launch a bid for the Labour leadership on Thursday morning as Jeremy Corbyn continues to resist intense pressure to resign, including from his deputy. | |
She is expected to pledge to reunify the fractured party, which has been locked in a vicious internal battle since the weekend, when Corbyn sacked his shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, for criticising his leadership. | She is expected to pledge to reunify the fractured party, which has been locked in a vicious internal battle since the weekend, when Corbyn sacked his shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, for criticising his leadership. |
“We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the big hitters, it will probably be tomorrow afternoon,” said an ally of Eagle, the former shadow business secretary. | “We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the big hitters, it will probably be tomorrow afternoon,” said an ally of Eagle, the former shadow business secretary. |
A full story is here. | |
Updated | |
at 8.20pm BST | |
7.44pm BST | 7.44pm BST |
19:44 | 19:44 |
John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn’s closest ally in the Labour party, has been addressing an event in support of the Labour leader in central London this evening. | |
Well done to all the young activists who put together tonight's #KeepCorbyn event at such short notice. pic.twitter.com/S1jPyESOrp | Well done to all the young activists who put together tonight's #KeepCorbyn event at such short notice. pic.twitter.com/S1jPyESOrp |
Jeremy Corbyn himself is said to be on the way to the rally. | |
Updated | Updated |
at 8.18pm BST | |
7.41pm BST | 7.41pm BST |
19:41 | 19:41 |
Jeremy Corbyn has been a “pretty awful” Labour leader but the state of the party is hardly his fault, writes the Guardian’s John Harris in a piece that makes for bleak but important reading for anyone who cares about Labour or even the broader British political left. | Jeremy Corbyn has been a “pretty awful” Labour leader but the state of the party is hardly his fault, writes the Guardian’s John Harris in a piece that makes for bleak but important reading for anyone who cares about Labour or even the broader British political left. |
The party as it has been known may well be finished, he adds: | The party as it has been known may well be finished, he adds: |
On one side is the current leader and a small band of leftist diehards, backed by an energetic, well-drilled movement but devoid of any coherent project and out of touch with the voters who have just defied the party in their droves. | On one side is the current leader and a small band of leftist diehards, backed by an energetic, well-drilled movement but devoid of any coherent project and out of touch with the voters who have just defied the party in their droves. |
On the other is a counter-revolution led by MPs who mostly failed to see this crisis coming, have very few worthwhile ideas themselves, and are a big part of the reason the Brexit revolt happened in the first place. As the activist Neal Lawson says, the choice is essentially between different captains of the Titanic, and therefore is no choice at all. | On the other is a counter-revolution led by MPs who mostly failed to see this crisis coming, have very few worthwhile ideas themselves, and are a big part of the reason the Brexit revolt happened in the first place. As the activist Neal Lawson says, the choice is essentially between different captains of the Titanic, and therefore is no choice at all. |
As with the centre-left parties across Europe in the same predicament, Labour is a 20th-century party adrift in a new reality. Its social foundations – the unions, heavy industry, the nonconformist church, a deference to the big state that has long evaporated – are either in deep retreat or have vanished completely. Its name embodies an attachment to the supposed glories of work that no longer chimes with insecure employment and insurgent automation. | As with the centre-left parties across Europe in the same predicament, Labour is a 20th-century party adrift in a new reality. Its social foundations – the unions, heavy industry, the nonconformist church, a deference to the big state that has long evaporated – are either in deep retreat or have vanished completely. Its name embodies an attachment to the supposed glories of work that no longer chimes with insecure employment and insurgent automation. |
John also says: | John also says: |
In a cruel twist of fate, the spectre of the sainted Tony Benn hangs over the whole grim drama: he was the guru of the leftwing anti-EU position we now call Lexit, but also the man who endlessly pushed the idea that activists should have the whip hand over parliamentarians. | In a cruel twist of fate, the spectre of the sainted Tony Benn hangs over the whole grim drama: he was the guru of the leftwing anti-EU position we now call Lexit, but also the man who endlessly pushed the idea that activists should have the whip hand over parliamentarians. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.45pm BST | at 7.45pm BST |
7.23pm BST | 7.23pm BST |
19:23 | 19:23 |
Angela Eagle to declare leadership bid on Thursday | Angela Eagle to declare leadership bid on Thursday |
Angela Eagle, the former shadow business secretary, is going to launch her Labour leadership challenge tomorrow morning. | Angela Eagle, the former shadow business secretary, is going to launch her Labour leadership challenge tomorrow morning. |
Angela Eagle likely to launch her leadership bid tomorrow, I understand. An ally tells me "we have the numbers, we have the big hitters". | Angela Eagle likely to launch her leadership bid tomorrow, I understand. An ally tells me "we have the numbers, we have the big hitters". |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.25pm BST | at 7.25pm BST |
7.05pm BST | 7.05pm BST |
19:05 | 19:05 |
Here’s John Crace’s sketch of today’s prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons, which he describes as a match between “two dead men walking who would have rather been anywhere but in the House of Commons”: | Here’s John Crace’s sketch of today’s prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons, which he describes as a match between “two dead men walking who would have rather been anywhere but in the House of Commons”: |
One went down with some dignity. The other just went down. | One went down with some dignity. The other just went down. |
Not even the 40 members of the parliamentary Labour party who apparently do still have confidence in Jeremy Corbyn could be bothered to raise a cheer when he stood at the dispatch box for prime minister’s questions. | Not even the 40 members of the parliamentary Labour party who apparently do still have confidence in Jeremy Corbyn could be bothered to raise a cheer when he stood at the dispatch box for prime minister’s questions. |
He rose in almost total silence, his face twisted in anger: the dividing line between stubborn ambition and personal principle has become increasingly opaque. | He rose in almost total silence, his face twisted in anger: the dividing line between stubborn ambition and personal principle has become increasingly opaque. |
Read on. | Read on. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.46pm BST | at 7.46pm BST |
6.57pm BST | 6.57pm BST |
18:57 | 18:57 |
A Guardian debate about the future of the UK is about to get under way at 7pm. Here’s a link to the livestream (Hashtag #guardianlive). | A Guardian debate about the future of the UK is about to get under way at 7pm. Here’s a link to the livestream (Hashtag #guardianlive). |
Taking part in the discussion will be the Guardian’s political editor Anushka Asthana, Guardian journalists John Harris and Gary Younge, writer and broadcaster Paul Mason, and our chair for the evening, the Guardian’s Jonathan Freedland. | Taking part in the discussion will be the Guardian’s political editor Anushka Asthana, Guardian journalists John Harris and Gary Younge, writer and broadcaster Paul Mason, and our chair for the evening, the Guardian’s Jonathan Freedland. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.46pm BST | at 7.46pm BST |
6.54pm BST | 6.54pm BST |
18:54 | 18:54 |
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has written to David Cameron seeking reassurance about the status of EU nationals currently studying at schools in the UK, reports the Guardian’s Richard Adams. | The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has written to David Cameron seeking reassurance about the status of EU nationals currently studying at schools in the UK, reports the Guardian’s Richard Adams. |
The open letter to the prime minister says: | The open letter to the prime minister says: |
School leaders are reporting to us that some of their young students are worrying about their future. | School leaders are reporting to us that some of their young students are worrying about their future. |
Pupils are worried about being forced to leave Britain. They are fearful of a potential rise in racism and community conflict. They are concerned about their prospects in an uncertain and isolated Britain. | Pupils are worried about being forced to leave Britain. They are fearful of a potential rise in racism and community conflict. They are concerned about their prospects in an uncertain and isolated Britain. |
It is not just the economic markets that need calming. Our young people need a statement from the government to address their fears. | It is not just the economic markets that need calming. Our young people need a statement from the government to address their fears. |
NAHT strongly urges the government to give pupils from the EU better assurance that they will be able to complete their school education without interruption; that they and their families remain welcome and valued members of the communities they call home. | NAHT strongly urges the government to give pupils from the EU better assurance that they will be able to complete their school education without interruption; that they and their families remain welcome and valued members of the communities they call home. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.46pm BST | at 7.46pm BST |
6.37pm BST | 6.37pm BST |
18:37 | 18:37 |
McDonnell: Number of Labour MPs "tearing the party apart" | McDonnell: Number of Labour MPs "tearing the party apart" |
Ben Quinn | Ben Quinn |
John McDonnell has said Jeremy Corbyn is “not going anywhere” and has called on those opposing the Labour leader to “calm down”. | John McDonnell has said Jeremy Corbyn is “not going anywhere” and has called on those opposing the Labour leader to “calm down”. |
“Unfortunately a number of MPs are tearing the party apart,” the shadow chancellor said in a Sky News interview in the last half an hour, in which he named Tom Watson and Angela Eagle as likely challengers. | “Unfortunately a number of MPs are tearing the party apart,” the shadow chancellor said in a Sky News interview in the last half an hour, in which he named Tom Watson and Angela Eagle as likely challengers. |
“I think what is happening, because it goes on minute by minute, is that we are likely to see a candidate come forward to challenge Jeremy. I don’t know who. There have been rumours that it is Angela Eagle or Tom Watson,” he said. | “I think what is happening, because it goes on minute by minute, is that we are likely to see a candidate come forward to challenge Jeremy. I don’t know who. There have been rumours that it is Angela Eagle or Tom Watson,” he said. |
McDonnell also put his support for Corbyn on the record again and insisted that the Labour leader was in buoyant form: “They have all these rumours about one minute I am challenging Jeremy Corbyn and the next I am forcing him to be the leader. | McDonnell also put his support for Corbyn on the record again and insisted that the Labour leader was in buoyant form: “They have all these rumours about one minute I am challenging Jeremy Corbyn and the next I am forcing him to be the leader. |
“This is ludicrous. He is a good mate of mine. We go back 35 years. I’ll support him to continue as leader. If there is a contest I’ll support him.” | “This is ludicrous. He is a good mate of mine. We go back 35 years. I’ll support him to continue as leader. If there is a contest I’ll support him.” |
“All I am saying to everybody is ‘calm down’. We call ourselves comrades in the Labour party. Let’s do it in a comradely, friendly manner if there is to be this debate.” | “All I am saying to everybody is ‘calm down’. We call ourselves comrades in the Labour party. Let’s do it in a comradely, friendly manner if there is to be this debate.” |
.@johnmcdonnellMP says if there's a Labour leadership contest Jeremy Corbyn could win it https://t.co/AEEJmPmaGl https://t.co/sIiqutqQvl | .@johnmcdonnellMP says if there's a Labour leadership contest Jeremy Corbyn could win it https://t.co/AEEJmPmaGl https://t.co/sIiqutqQvl |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.59pm BST | at 6.59pm BST |
6.14pm BST | 6.14pm BST |
18:14 | 18:14 |
Watson says he tried to tell Corbyn to resign, but Corbyn would not discuss it with him | Watson says he tried to tell Corbyn to resign, but Corbyn would not discuss it with him |
Andrew Sparrow | Andrew Sparrow |
Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, told the BBC that he tried to tell Jeremy Corbyn to resign, but Corbyn would not discuss it with him. | Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, told the BBC that he tried to tell Jeremy Corbyn to resign, but Corbyn would not discuss it with him. |
I’m afraid Jeremy was not willing to discuss that with me. I’m assuming that he remains in office. That’s where the situation stands. | I’m afraid Jeremy was not willing to discuss that with me. I’m assuming that he remains in office. That’s where the situation stands. |
Watson also said he thought that Corbyn was trying to tough it out. | Watson also said he thought that Corbyn was trying to tough it out. |
I just think he feels very strongly that he has that mandate from the members. He holds less weight on parliamentary politics, and that’s where he is. He’s obviously been told to stay by John McDonnell and his team, and they’ve decided they’re going to tough this out. It looks like the Labour party is heading for some kind of contested election. | I just think he feels very strongly that he has that mandate from the members. He holds less weight on parliamentary politics, and that’s where he is. He’s obviously been told to stay by John McDonnell and his team, and they’ve decided they’re going to tough this out. It looks like the Labour party is heading for some kind of contested election. |
That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
My colleague Ben Quinn is taking over now. | My colleague Ben Quinn is taking over now. |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.31pm BST | at 6.31pm BST |