Britain’s Opposition Labour Party found itself in the midst of major turmoil on Wednesday after three ministers resigned from the shadow cabinet, revolting against party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to sack their colleagues for criticising his policies.
Mr Corbyn, the surprise winner of Labour’s leadership election in 2015, has been at the centre of a prolonged controversy since last week as he mulled over a reshuffle, which ended with the firing of shadow culture secretary Michael Duhger and shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden.
Shadow railways minister Jonathan Reynolds, shadow foreign affairs minister Stephen Doughty and shadow minister for the armed forces Kevan Jones resigned in protest on Wednesday over the sackings.
While Mr Reynolds and Mr Doughty are protesting over Mr McFadden being fired for “disloyalty”, Mr Jones stepped down over Mr Corbyn’s decision to replace pro-nuclear weapons MP Maria Eagle with unilateralist Emily Thornberry.
“I have just written to Jeremy to resign. I had very well publicised differences with him on foreign policy, defence and national security, but I recognised the mandate he had been given. Issues of national security and defence go well beyond party politics. Until we reaffirm our commitment, we are going to be in a very difficult situation,” said Mr Doughty, as he announced his resignation on live TV.
Mr Jones, in his letter to Mr Corbyn, wrote: “It has been an honour to serve both in government and Opposition. The Labour Party needs credible policies on defence and security. The best way for me to advance those is from the back benches.”
“Defence and security is important for many Labour communities across the UK and I will continue to advance the arguments for those communities.”
Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who openly disagrees with Mr Corbyn on key issues, escaped the axe in the shake-up.
He denied he had been “muzzled” by Mr Corbyn, after reportedly agreeing not to publicly criticise the leader’s policy positions.
“I have not been muzzled. I am going to be carrying on doing my job exactly as before, which is speaking for Labour on foreign policy, supporting Corbyn and campaigning really hard to get Labour elected at the next General Election,” he said.
