A recent study by academics from Queen Mary University and Sussex University found that 55 percent of Labour members who joined since May 2015 support deselecting MPs who challenge Corbyn’s leadership.
Advertisement
He explained: “It’s fair to say we were probably a little nervous about going onto the streets of Chelmsford, a city that has elected a Conservative MP since 1950”.
In a statement, Corbyn said the incident was “extremely concerning” and that he had also been subjected to threats.
All in all, the mess the United Kingdom has been plunged into thanks to the Brexit vote, which should’ve mostly been blamed on the Tory Party, has somehow fueled this nonsensical rebellion.
Facing him over the despatch box for the last time, Corbyn replied with a smile: “Democracy is an exciting and splendid thing and I’m enjoying every moment of it”.
The letter was circulated to all the Labour members on the authority by councillor Patrick Kitterick who was looking to muster support for the party leader.
The ongoing turmoil inside Labour has sparked fears that the party could split, as it did in the 1980s, and dilute the centre-left influence over the negotiations for Britaiin’s exit from the EU. “I want it in power”.
The Labour leader posted a code of conduct for the leadership election on his campaign website after challenger Angela Eagle warned that Labour risks becoming the “new nasty party”.
Then on Wednesday, after much debate over whether or not the Labour Party rules would allow Corbyn to be on the leadership contest ballot without obtaining the 51 nominations from within the party required for contenders, the National Executive Committee voted 18-14 to keep the leader on the ballot.
Last week the party’s National Executive Committee ruled that party members could only vote in the upcoming election if they joined before 12 January.
Mr Smith is standing on a platform to the left of Ms Eagle but not as left wing as Mr Corbyn.
He said the decision to suspend normal meetings at constituency and branch level during the contest was taken because of a “duty of care for individuals who feel that their safety is threatened”.
However, the former solicitor has now had a change of heart and told supporters she will back Mr Smith in the leadership contest. “I am not prepared to let that happen”, he will say.
“I am confident that Jeremy will win through”.
And he called for the party to carry out the election in a proper manner and end its infighting: “We have always been a party that respects each others’ differences”, he said.
Advertisement
In an interview with the Observer Mr Smith criticised Mr Corbyn’s lack of “man-management” skills and described his campaigning on the European Union referendum as “half-hearted”. “But if Corbyn loses, the powerful unions and young activists that form his political base could choose to leave the party”.
