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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bid to oust Labour's deputy Tom Watson | Bid to oust Labour's deputy Tom Watson |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson is facing a fresh bid to oust him by abolishing his post. | |
| An initial move was made at the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Friday but it failed to get the two-thirds majority needed. | |
| A further attempt will be made on Saturday at the party's conference. | |
| 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. |
| The campaign group was set up to support Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party. | The campaign group 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. | 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| "Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen." | "Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen."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. | 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. | 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." | "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 position of deputy leader has existed within the Labour Party, which was formed in 1900, for nearly a century. | |
| John Robert Clynes became the first deputy leader in 1922, and the position has since been held by prominent Labour figures including John Prescott and Harriet Harman. | |
| The NEC, Labour's governing body, will vote again on abolishing Mr Watson's post at the party's annual conference at 10:00 BST on Saturday. | The NEC, Labour's governing body, 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. | 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 the bid will be approved, ousting Mr Watson. | There will then be a vote on the conference floor in the afternoon, where it is expected the 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 Saturday's vote. | BBC political reporter Jessica Parker said Mr Watson's supporters were "not overly optimistic" that he will win Saturday's vote. |
| Labour MP Wes Streeting said in a Twitter post the push to oust Mr Watson "isn't just outrageous, it's self destructive". | Labour MP Wes Streeting said in a Twitter post the push to oust 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. |
| Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: "Wish that we could just stop pretending & say what we think... There's a desperate attempt to control & expel anyone who has an independent thought. | Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: "Wish that we could just stop pretending & say what we think... There's a desperate attempt to control & expel anyone who has an independent thought. |
| "I'm so sick of pretending just say you hate Tom Watson just be honest." | "I'm so sick of pretending just say you hate Tom Watson just be honest." |
| And former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted that those who had come up with the idea to abolish the deputy leader post had "taken leave of their senses". | And former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted that those who had come up with the idea to abolish the deputy leader post had "taken leave of their senses". |