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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Len McCluskey plays peacemaker in Labour leadership crisis | Len McCluskey plays peacemaker in Labour leadership crisis |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, has met Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson in an effort to find a solution to the crisis engulfing the Labour leadership. | |
| The trade union leader is attempting to mediate after more than 60 shadow ministers resigned and MPs passed a motion of no confidence in Corbyn, the leader of the Labour party, last week. | |
| McCluskey first held lengthy talks with Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, who urged Corbyn on Monday to consider his position. The union chief then met Corbyn, whom he has repeatedly and publicly backed to stay as leader. | |
| Corbyn is still adamant that he will not step down and believes anyone who wants to challenge his leadership should do so through the proper process. He is understood to be open to listening to concerns about policymaking and management of the party, without contemplating stepping aside. | |
| Related: For heaven's sake man, go! Ten ways to resign when it's time | Related: For heaven's sake man, go! Ten ways to resign when it's time |
| But Labour MPs say his position is untenable without the support of the parliamentary party. Watson told MPs on Monday that he had informed Corbyn it was not enough to have a mandate from the party membership, which voted overwhelmingly for his leadership nine months ago. | But Labour MPs say his position is untenable without the support of the parliamentary party. Watson told MPs on Monday that he had informed Corbyn it was not enough to have a mandate from the party membership, which voted overwhelmingly for his leadership nine months ago. |
| Sources said McCluskey’s role was at an exploratory stage, to “see the lie of the land” about whether there could be any common ground between Corbyn and the unhappy parliamentary party. | Sources said McCluskey’s role was at an exploratory stage, to “see the lie of the land” about whether there could be any common ground between Corbyn and the unhappy parliamentary party. |
| McCluskey is expected to liaise with other trade union chiefs before returning for meetings with Watson later on Tuesday. | McCluskey is expected to liaise with other trade union chiefs before returning for meetings with Watson later on Tuesday. |
| If attempts to resolve the situation fail, Corbyn is likely to face a leadership challenge within days from Angela Eagle or Owen Smith, two former shadow cabinet ministers. | If attempts to resolve the situation fail, Corbyn is likely to face a leadership challenge within days from Angela Eagle or Owen Smith, two former shadow cabinet ministers. |
| Related: This Tory chaos won’t last. Labour must take its chance | Polly Toynbee | Related: This Tory chaos won’t last. Labour must take its chance | Polly Toynbee |
| Eagle, his most likely competitor for the leadership, stated publicly on Monday for the first time that she was prepared to break the impasse at the top of Labour by directly challenging Corbyn. | Eagle, his most likely competitor for the leadership, stated publicly on Monday for the first time that she was prepared to break the impasse at the top of Labour by directly challenging Corbyn. |
| The former shadow business secretary, who resigned last week, told Sky News as she left her home on Monday: “I have the support to run and resolve this impasse and I will do so if Jeremy doesn’t take action soon.” | The former shadow business secretary, who resigned last week, told Sky News as she left her home on Monday: “I have the support to run and resolve this impasse and I will do so if Jeremy doesn’t take action soon.” |
| Her team is understood to be considering the timing for a challenge, given the upcoming publication of the Chilcot report and the parallel Tory leadership contest, if Corbyn does not stand down. | Her team is understood to be considering the timing for a challenge, given the upcoming publication of the Chilcot report and the parallel Tory leadership contest, if Corbyn does not stand down. |
| Disquiet is growing among Labour MPs who are keen to see Corbyn resign but are frustrated at the lack of a coherent alternative. “We have been left high and dry. We’ve been whipped up to do this, and now we are getting threats all the time, demonstrations against us,” one MP said. | Disquiet is growing among Labour MPs who are keen to see Corbyn resign but are frustrated at the lack of a coherent alternative. “We have been left high and dry. We’ve been whipped up to do this, and now we are getting threats all the time, demonstrations against us,” one MP said. |