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 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/03/labour-seeks-avoid-party-divide-as-corbyn-continues-to-refuse-resignation

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labour seeks leadership deal as Jeremy Corbyn stands his ground Labour seeks leadership deal as Jeremy Corbyn stands his ground
(about 1 hour later)
Labour MPs supporting Jeremy Corbyn are urgently seeking ways to avoid a historic divide in the party after their leader’s continued refusal to resign set the party on track for a ferocious leadership battle. Labour MPs supporting Jeremy Corbyn are urgently seeking ways to avoid a historic split after their leader’s refusal to resign set the party on track for a ferocious leadership battle.
As Unite leader, Len McCluskey, called Corbyn a “man of steel” and described the attempted coup as a “political lynching of a decent man”, allies of the leader admitted that they were considering what type of deal might satisfy the rebels. In a bullish interview, McCluskey said MPs should allow the trade unions to broker a peace deal. The leader of Unite, Len McCluskey, described the coup attempt as a “political lynching” as he urged MPs to allow trade unions to broker a peace deal. However, he did not suggest that Corbyn should give in to demands to resign, calling the Labour leader a “man of steel”.
Party grandees including Lord Kinnock and at least one challenger to Corbyn, Angela Eagle, have continued to claim that support from the party’s members is ebbing away from the leader. Other supporters of the leader said they were considering what type of deal might satisfy the the party’s MPs, with more than three quarters supporting a vote of no confidence in Corbyn last week.
Party grandees including Lord Kinnock and at least one potential challenger to Corbyn, Angela Eagle, have continued to claim that support from the party’s members is ebbing away from the leader.
Related: Poll does not represent members of Unite | Letter from Len McCluskeyRelated: Poll does not represent members of Unite | Letter from Len McCluskey
On Sunday, there were some initial signs of a cooling off between the two sides. Tom Watson, widely seen as a go-between from the parliamentary party and the Corbyn-backing unions, is understood to have welcomed McCluskey’s comments, which are seen as a sign that a “negotiated settlement” of some sort may still be possible.On Sunday, there were some initial signs of a cooling off between the two sides. Tom Watson, widely seen as a go-between from the parliamentary party and the Corbyn-backing unions, is understood to have welcomed McCluskey’s comments, which are seen as a sign that a “negotiated settlement” of some sort may still be possible.
One politician close to Corbyn told the Guardian it is “50-50” whether Corbyn would win again, but said that if he did then one option could be a collective leadership with a “kitchen cabinet” representing different wings of the party. Some of Corbyn’s allies have discussed plans to win over MPs who have lost faith in the leadership and want to see a resignation.
Some of Corbyn’s allies have discussed plans to win over MPs who last week voted that they had no confidence in Corbyn. One politician close to the leader told the Guardian it is “50-50” whether Corbyn would win again, but said that if he did then one option could be a collective leadership with a “kitchen cabinet” representing different wings of the party.
Under one plan being discussed by left-leaning MPs, Corbyn could become chairman rather than “supreme leader”. The phrase has been used in American and British politics to refer to a leader, such as David Cameron, being supported by an inner-circle of advisers, although in this case it would not necessarily be allies of Corbyn at the top table.
Another alternative is of Corbyn as a more “continental party president” with a consensual leader of the PLP being appointed. Under such a plan being discussed by some left-leaning MPs, Corbyn could become chairman rather than “supreme leader”.
A Corbyn-supporting MP said that would only work if the party accepted the leader’s “broad anti-austerity political and economic programme”.
Related: Aides hold Jeremy Corbyn back after reporter asks if he was 'running away'Related: Aides hold Jeremy Corbyn back after reporter asks if he was 'running away'
“This would be difficult for all sides but preferable to an historic split,” the source told the Guardian. Another alternative is of him assuming a more presidential role, with a consensual leader of the PLP being appointed who would satisfy MPs.
A source close to Corbyn said there were discussions around how to make peace in the party – but said the leader was not specifically considering the options put forward by the MP. A Corbyn-supporting MP said that would only work if the party accepted the leader’s “broad anti-austerity political and economic programme”. “This would be difficult for all sides but preferable to an historic split,” the source said.
Unite leader McCluskey, a prominent supporter of Corbyn, said the leader had been the victim of a “political lynching” and said it was “outrageous” for “grandees being dragged out to be part of this unedifying coup”. A source close to Corbyn denied that the ideas were being considered but said there was effort being put into finding a peaceful solution, with a focus on whether new structures could be built around policymaking and the shadow cabinet that would appease MPs.
But he insisted that trade unions could “broker a peace”, as he urged potential challengers Angela Eagle and Owen Smith to step back. Unite leader McCluskey, a prominent supporter of Corbyn, said the leader had been the victim of a “political lynching” and said it was “outrageous” that political grandees such as Kinnock were being dragged out to be part of this “unedifying coup”.
“The alternative if Angela goes ahead with this, and I hope she doesn’t, or Owen, is that we are plunged into a civil war that will be bitter and ugly and may never allow the Labour party to reunite again,” he said. But, speaking to BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, he said trade unions could broker a peace, as he urged potential challengers Eagle and Owen Smith to step back. “The alternative if Angela goes ahead with this, and I hope she doesn’t, or Owen, is that we are plunged into a civil war that will be bitter and ugly and may never allow the Labour party to reunite again,” he said.
Emily Thornberry, the new defence minister and a close ally of Corbyn, urged MPs to “take a step back”. Emily Thornberry, the new defence minister and a close ally of Corbyn, urged MPs to “take a step back”. The new shadow foreign secretary told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “I think the future of the country is at stake here.”
The shadow foreign secretary told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “I think the future of the country is at stake here.” Others felt that Corbyn ought to stand down, but argued that if he didn’t there was still a chance that he would be defeated in a leadership contest. Although there appears to be new people registering to support leader, Kinnock said there had been a “significant shift” away from Corbyn among party members. “Members across the country have got deep residual doubts about the possibility of him leading the party to election victory,” he said.
Kinnock said there had been a “significant shift” away from Corbyn among party members. “Members across the country have got deep residual doubts about the possibility of him leading the party to election victory,” he said.
Kinnock also argued that if Corbyn is challenged, he ought to have to collect nominations from MPs, as he had to in the late 1980s when Tony Benn took him on with the support of Labour’s current leader.Kinnock also argued that if Corbyn is challenged, he ought to have to collect nominations from MPs, as he had to in the late 1980s when Tony Benn took him on with the support of Labour’s current leader.
The issue is significant because Corbyn’s team believe he will automatically be able to stand again, but his opponent’s strongly disagree. It seems unlikely that he would attract the backing of enough politicians if he has to seek their support. Corbyn’s team believe he will automatically be able to stand again, but his opponent’s strongly disagree. It seems unlikely that he would attract the backing of enough MPs if he has to seek their support.
Related: Labour leadership: Tom Watson calls on MPs to step back from brinkRelated: Labour leadership: Tom Watson calls on MPs to step back from brink
Talking about the large numbers of people who paid £3 to become registered supporters of Labour to back Corbyn in last year’s election, Kinnock said they were “very welcome in the party” arguing that they brought energy and vibrancy.Talking about the large numbers of people who paid £3 to become registered supporters of Labour to back Corbyn in last year’s election, Kinnock said they were “very welcome in the party” arguing that they brought energy and vibrancy.
“They’ve got to decide whether they are serious about putting their principles into power by democratic election under a leader that is credible in a party that is united, or whether they actually joined up to a social protest movement that is content to complain and to turn up at the funerals of communities and industries while the Conservatives have yet more decades of power,” Kinnock told the Andrew Marr show.“They’ve got to decide whether they are serious about putting their principles into power by democratic election under a leader that is credible in a party that is united, or whether they actually joined up to a social protest movement that is content to complain and to turn up at the funerals of communities and industries while the Conservatives have yet more decades of power,” Kinnock told the Andrew Marr show.
MPs involved in the attempted coup against Corbyn, in which there was an overwhelming vote of no confidence in his leadership, have suggested that the only solution must see Corbyn step down as leader. MPs involved in the attempted coup against Corbyn have suggested that the only solution is for him to step down as leader.
“If not, and if he wins again, then this no confidence show will simply happen again and again,” said one MP.“If not, and if he wins again, then this no confidence show will simply happen again and again,” said one MP.
A source close to Eagle said she is still ready to stand and hopes Corbyn will step down this week.A source close to Eagle said she is still ready to stand and hopes Corbyn will step down this week.
Corbyn has also hit back, telling his party’s MPs that they should “respect democracy”, stressing that he was elected by 60% of Labour members and supporters just nine months ago.Corbyn has also hit back, telling his party’s MPs that they should “respect democracy”, stressing that he was elected by 60% of Labour members and supporters just nine months ago.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he added: “I am ready to reach out to Labour MPs who didn’t accept my election and oppose my leadership – and work with the whole party to provide the alternative the country needs.”Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he added: “I am ready to reach out to Labour MPs who didn’t accept my election and oppose my leadership – and work with the whole party to provide the alternative the country needs.”
However, aides were unable to add details to how Corbyn might be able to reach a consensus, with MPs opposing him saying that there was no substance in the article, and calling on him to show leadership and respond to the overwhelming vote of no confidence among MPs last week.However, aides were unable to add details to how Corbyn might be able to reach a consensus, with MPs opposing him saying that there was no substance in the article, and calling on him to show leadership and respond to the overwhelming vote of no confidence among MPs last week.
Corbyn will be questioned by the home affairs select committee on Monday over allegations of antisemitism within the Labour party. Committee member Naz Shah and former London mayor Ken Livingstone were suspended from the Labour party in April for comments made regarding Zionism and the Holocaust. Rumours surrounding Corbyn’s leadership this weekend have continued. His spokesman has been forced to deny claims that Corbyn had a “Wednesday wobble” over his position after prime minister’s questions last week, and that a senior aide had drawn up a five-point extraction plan for the beleaguered leader. Corbyn will be questioned by the home affairs select committee on Monday over allegations of antisemitism within the Labour party. Committee member Naz Shah and former London mayor Ken Livingstone were suspended from the Labour party in April for comments made regarding Zionism and the Holocaust.
Rumours surrounding Corbyn’s leadership this weekend have continued. His spokesman has been forced to deny claims that Corbyn had a “Wednesday wobble” over his position after prime minister’s questions last week, and that a senior aide had drawn up a five-point extraction plan for the beleaguered leader.