The episode highlighted the gap between Mr Corbyn, who sat with arms folded during the speech and was backed by Labour Party members, and the Parliamentary party which was divided for and against air strikes.
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“Truly historic.” The words used by some to describe Hilary Benn’s impassioned speech supporting airstrikes in Syria.
Father and son may have differed on matters of war and peace – but there were far more values they shared.
However Mr Corbyn’s allies have told The Telegraph that Mr Benn has made the “crass mistake” of positioning himself to the Right of Mr Corbyn and can not become leader. Take our quiz to find out.
“It is very, very rare for MPs to applaud in the Commons but they applauded Benn because they recognised that this was something special (just as they applauded Robin Cook when he spoke against the Iraq war in 2003)”, he said.
Hilary Benn last night received applause from all sides of the House of Commons for a speech in which he labelled the Isis militant group fascists and a said Labour had a tradition of global military intervention.
Hilary Benn’s speech to MPs on Wednesday was greeted enthusiastically by the mainstream media, with pundits declaring it “outstanding”. “If they are Labour Party members, we have disciplinary processes and they will take place”. Mr Hopkins, speaking after the vote, said “taking the fight” to the terrorists, by attacking their stronghold, was the best way for the Government to honour its first duty of protecting British citizens.
Another Labour MP dismissed the “rampant speculation” about Mr Benn’s leadership ambitions and said he had now “nailed his colours to the mast over war”.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith, who opposed air strikes, branded Mr Livingstone’s backing for deselections “disgraceful”. “I hope you reflect and retract them”, Ms Benn tweeted.
One shadow cabinet minister told this newspaper: “Hilary was booed by Labour Party members the other day”.
Mr Salmond came under fire following a radio interview in which he was asked about Mr Benn’s powerful speech at the end of Wednesday’s debate which many believe played a critical role in persuading Labour MPs to defy Jeremy Corbyn and support Mr Cameron’s motion.
Socialist Party member Nancy Taaffe said: “It is absolutely crucial that Labour MPs or councillors who use their positions to vote for this war – not to mention the destruction of jobs and services through cuts – should be held democratically accountable via a reselection process”.
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Labour MP Clive Lewis – an ally of Mr Corbyn and shadow energy and climate change minister – acknowledged it was a “really dark” time for the party.
