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Bid to oust Labour's deputy Tom Watson | Bid to oust Labour's deputy Tom Watson |
(32 minutes later) | |
Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has survived a move to oust him by abolishing his post. | Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has survived a move to oust him by abolishing his post. |
The proposal was heard at the party's National Executive Committee on Friday but failed to get the two-thirds majority needed. | The proposal was heard at the party's National Executive Committee on Friday but failed to get the two-thirds majority needed. |
It is understood that it was proposed by Jon Lansman, founder of Labour grassroots group Momentum. | It is understood that it was proposed by Jon Lansman, founder of Labour grassroots group Momentum. |
A fresh move will be made on Saturday at the party's conference and is expected to be successful. | |
Momentum was set up to support Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party. | |
Mr Watson has been at odds with Mr Corbyn over Labour's stance on Brexit. | Mr Watson has been at odds with Mr Corbyn over Labour's stance on Brexit. |
He wants another public vote on the UK's membership of the EU before any general election, but Mr Corbyn has said an election should come first. | He wants another public vote on the UK's membership of the EU before any general election, but Mr Corbyn has said an election should come first. |
The party leader has refused to say which side he might back in a future Brexit referendum under a Labour government. | The party leader has refused to say which side he might back in a future Brexit referendum under a Labour government. |
A Momentum source told the BBC: "We just can't afford to go into an election with a deputy leader set on wrecking Labour's chances. | |
"Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen." | "Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen." |
Neither Mr Corbyn or Mr Watson were at Friday's NEC meeting. | |
A senior Labour source said: "Tom had given his apologies to the NEC... as he had to look after his children. | |
"Usually when you disagree within parties on issues like taking a remain stance on Brexit, you have a debate. Seems that in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party they'd rather abolish you than debate with you." | |
The NEC will vote again on abolishing Mr Watson's post at the party's annual conference at 10:00 BST on Saturday. | |
Sources told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg they expected the vote to be passed. | |
There will then be a vote on the conference floor in the afternoon, where it is expected that bid will be approved, ousting Mr Watson. | |
BBC political reporter Jessica Parker said Mr Watson's supporters were "not overly optimistic" that he will win that Saturday's vote. | |
Labour MP Wes Streeting said in a Twitter post the move to remove Mr Watson "isn't just outrageous, it's self destructive". | |
"Labour Conference this week needs to put the Party on a general election footing - talking to the country about our vision for Britain," he wrote. | "Labour Conference this week needs to put the Party on a general election footing - talking to the country about our vision for Britain," he wrote. |