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'Corbyn is in – our voices count': Labour members on the NEC's decision 'Corbyn is in – our voices count': Labour members on the NEC's decision
(about 1 month later)
Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met yesterday to determine whether or not Jeremy Corbyn could appear on the ballot in Labour’s leadership contest. It came following MPs vote of no-confidence in Corbyn, and Angela Eagle’s formal challenge to his control of the party.Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met yesterday to determine whether or not Jeremy Corbyn could appear on the ballot in Labour’s leadership contest. It came following MPs vote of no-confidence in Corbyn, and Angela Eagle’s formal challenge to his control of the party.
After a secret ballot (and threats of legal challenges if he was excluded) it was agreed that he should stand. We asked Labour members for their reactions to the news.After a secret ballot (and threats of legal challenges if he was excluded) it was agreed that he should stand. We asked Labour members for their reactions to the news.
Amanda Shortman, 32: ‘To keep Corbyn off would have sent the message that members’ voices don’t count’Amanda Shortman, 32: ‘To keep Corbyn off would have sent the message that members’ voices don’t count’
We’ve seen so much division recently, both within the Labour party and across the nation as a whole, that the committee’s decision was always going to split opinion.We’ve seen so much division recently, both within the Labour party and across the nation as a whole, that the committee’s decision was always going to split opinion.
I am personally hugely relieved at the decision. If last year taught us anything it’s that there are thousands of Labour supporters who are desperate to be heard, so to keep Corbyn off the ballot less than a year after his landslide victory would have sent the message that members’ voices don’t count. Maybe the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) is right, maybe the members have also lost confidence in Corbyn’s ability to lead, but we would never know without actually asking them. Now we have that chance.I am personally hugely relieved at the decision. If last year taught us anything it’s that there are thousands of Labour supporters who are desperate to be heard, so to keep Corbyn off the ballot less than a year after his landslide victory would have sent the message that members’ voices don’t count. Maybe the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) is right, maybe the members have also lost confidence in Corbyn’s ability to lead, but we would never know without actually asking them. Now we have that chance.
There is a great discord within the party which now needs to be settled as soon as possible. We need a strong opposition during these uncertain times – one that listens to and honours its members as well as its MPs.There is a great discord within the party which now needs to be settled as soon as possible. We need a strong opposition during these uncertain times – one that listens to and honours its members as well as its MPs.
Nicholas Mitchell, 18: ‘Labour will now lose the next election with Corbyn as leader’Nicholas Mitchell, 18: ‘Labour will now lose the next election with Corbyn as leader’
Corbyn should not have been included on the ballot because he does not have the support of the party’s MPs. With him now in the leadership race, we will find ourselves in the same situation with his followers taking over the party again. There is now no place for an open debate about the future of party because of his cult following.Corbyn should not have been included on the ballot because he does not have the support of the party’s MPs. With him now in the leadership race, we will find ourselves in the same situation with his followers taking over the party again. There is now no place for an open debate about the future of party because of his cult following.
Related: Owen Smith to challenge Corbyn for Labour leadership
The decision means I struggle to be optimistic about the future of the party. We are living in a parliamentary democracy and politics happens in parliament. If Corbyn cannot garner the support of members of parliament then he cannot lead an effective opposition. If MPs have no confidence in him then shouldn’t be in contention to be leader.The decision means I struggle to be optimistic about the future of the party. We are living in a parliamentary democracy and politics happens in parliament. If Corbyn cannot garner the support of members of parliament then he cannot lead an effective opposition. If MPs have no confidence in him then shouldn’t be in contention to be leader.
I believe that Corbyn will now be voted in as leader again and that means the Tories will win the next election. Corbyn is not thoughtful enough to step down and do what’s best for the party.I believe that Corbyn will now be voted in as leader again and that means the Tories will win the next election. Corbyn is not thoughtful enough to step down and do what’s best for the party.
Paul Unwin, 59: ‘I urge all those who oppose the party’s far-left to join and vote Corbyn out’Paul Unwin, 59: ‘I urge all those who oppose the party’s far-left to join and vote Corbyn out’
It’s correct that Corbyn should stand, but I hope the Labour party will not vote for him to continue at leader. I am not up to date with the Labour constitution but think it would have been divisive if he hadn’t been included and caused real problems. We still face difficulties now but at least we can face them down, and match the unhelpful fringe who support Corbyn with members who have a sense of how the party can aspire to power.It’s correct that Corbyn should stand, but I hope the Labour party will not vote for him to continue at leader. I am not up to date with the Labour constitution but think it would have been divisive if he hadn’t been included and caused real problems. We still face difficulties now but at least we can face them down, and match the unhelpful fringe who support Corbyn with members who have a sense of how the party can aspire to power.
The Corbynite faction is strong, but it’s mistaken to say that all those now joining Labour support him. Many are joining the party now to vote against him. I urge all those who are anti the far-left manoeuvre to join and vote.The Corbynite faction is strong, but it’s mistaken to say that all those now joining Labour support him. Many are joining the party now to vote against him. I urge all those who are anti the far-left manoeuvre to join and vote.
Josephine Grahl, 37: ‘If Corbyn becomes leader, the PLP have to figure out how to work with him’Josephine Grahl, 37: ‘If Corbyn becomes leader, the PLP have to figure out how to work with him’
It was the right decision for Corbyn to be included on the ballot and it seems now that the whole situation will be resolved by going back to the members.It was the right decision for Corbyn to be included on the ballot and it seems now that the whole situation will be resolved by going back to the members.
However, I’m not sure what will happen if Corbyn wins the leadership battle. The question now is whether the PLP will realise that they are answerable to their members who go out and campaign for them to be elected. The PLP doesn’t have to adopt every position that Corbyn holds, but if he is voted as leader they do need to find a way to work in line with him. At some point MPs will have to recognise that they have to represent the views of members and cannot see them as separate organisation within Labour.However, I’m not sure what will happen if Corbyn wins the leadership battle. The question now is whether the PLP will realise that they are answerable to their members who go out and campaign for them to be elected. The PLP doesn’t have to adopt every position that Corbyn holds, but if he is voted as leader they do need to find a way to work in line with him. At some point MPs will have to recognise that they have to represent the views of members and cannot see them as separate organisation within Labour.
It’s all very unclear what will happen next (as we’ve seen in the Tory leadership race). I hope Corbyn wins as after 20 years of Tony Blair the Labour party needs to examine what it stands for and how it will respond to a post-financial crisis world. Obviously politics at the moment is unusual and volatile and maybe a different approach is needed. We cannot go back to 1997 – we live in a different world now. I hope that there were not be any spit in Labour as think that would be disastrous. We need to be united to combat the threat of the extreme right.It’s all very unclear what will happen next (as we’ve seen in the Tory leadership race). I hope Corbyn wins as after 20 years of Tony Blair the Labour party needs to examine what it stands for and how it will respond to a post-financial crisis world. Obviously politics at the moment is unusual and volatile and maybe a different approach is needed. We cannot go back to 1997 – we live in a different world now. I hope that there were not be any spit in Labour as think that would be disastrous. We need to be united to combat the threat of the extreme right.
Gareth Townsend, 21: ‘I don’t support Corbyn but this was the correct decision’Gareth Townsend, 21: ‘I don’t support Corbyn but this was the correct decision’
I believe that the NEC arrived at the correct decision. I’m not a Corbyn supporter, but it is impossible to ignore the manner in which he was elected as leader of the Labour party. He was given an enormous mandate by members and to ignore their opinions just a year onwould be completely undemocratic.I believe that the NEC arrived at the correct decision. I’m not a Corbyn supporter, but it is impossible to ignore the manner in which he was elected as leader of the Labour party. He was given an enormous mandate by members and to ignore their opinions just a year onwould be completely undemocratic.
The Labour party is more than just the NEC and PLP, and it should speak for the grassroots level, where Corbyn does have a large amount of supporters. Should a new leader be elected, including Corbyn on the ballot would also give them more legitimacy among the rest of the party and the rest of parliament as they would have beaten Corbyn at grassroots level.The Labour party is more than just the NEC and PLP, and it should speak for the grassroots level, where Corbyn does have a large amount of supporters. Should a new leader be elected, including Corbyn on the ballot would also give them more legitimacy among the rest of the party and the rest of parliament as they would have beaten Corbyn at grassroots level.
I do not agree with the way in which the NEC acted today with Corbyn being asked to leave the meeting during the discussions – he should have been able to take part in order to argue for his automatic inclusion on the ballot.I do not agree with the way in which the NEC acted today with Corbyn being asked to leave the meeting during the discussions – he should have been able to take part in order to argue for his automatic inclusion on the ballot.
Leo Parker-Rees, 26: ‘It’s a reminder to the plotters that the party is bigger than they are’Leo Parker-Rees, 26: ‘It’s a reminder to the plotters that the party is bigger than they are’
I’m delighted that the NEC has voted to adhere to Labour’s rules. It’s disappointing, though, that it came to this. The Conservative prime minister has just been decided by 199 votes, and it’s staggering that some in the PLP tried to out-do that failure of democracy, disregarding the will of the members who campaigned for their election.I’m delighted that the NEC has voted to adhere to Labour’s rules. It’s disappointing, though, that it came to this. The Conservative prime minister has just been decided by 199 votes, and it’s staggering that some in the PLP tried to out-do that failure of democracy, disregarding the will of the members who campaigned for their election.
We’ve repeatedly been told Corbyn has lost the support of his party, despite overwhelming backing from the constituency Labour party, unions and membership.We’ve repeatedly been told Corbyn has lost the support of his party, despite overwhelming backing from the constituency Labour party, unions and membership.
Today’s result should be a reminder to those taking part in this failed coup that Labour is bigger than they are. They make up a tiny percentage of the party, and new members are joining at a record-breaking rate. It would have been a dark day for Labour if so few had been permitted to overrule so many.Today’s result should be a reminder to those taking part in this failed coup that Labour is bigger than they are. They make up a tiny percentage of the party, and new members are joining at a record-breaking rate. It would have been a dark day for Labour if so few had been permitted to overrule so many.
I doubt anyone would challenge Corbyn in a fair race, so I hope we can focus on uniting to oppose the government. So far our disunity has been blamed solely on Corbyn, but I hope the focus now shifts toward his would-be deposers: it is they who must unite with the party, not the party who must unite with them.I doubt anyone would challenge Corbyn in a fair race, so I hope we can focus on uniting to oppose the government. So far our disunity has been blamed solely on Corbyn, but I hope the focus now shifts toward his would-be deposers: it is they who must unite with the party, not the party who must unite with them.