New Labour veterans David Blunkett and Peter Mandelson speak out against Corbyn victory

New Labour veterans David Blunkett and Peter Mandelson have both come out to criticise Jeremy Corbyn, who was elected leader of the Labour party yesterday.

Writing in the Sunday Mail Blunkett has described the election of Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson as an “emotional spasm”. The former Home Secretary, who also served as Secretary of State for Education, warns that the party is headed for defeat in 2020.

“The new leadership and those around them have tapped into an anti-establishment, anti-austerity, anti-war mood. Ironically, it will be their determination not to compromise, including with the electorate, which will bring them down. Because disillusionment will follow as night follows day when it becomes clear that they are disengaged from, and in a parallel universe to, the bulk of the electorate”, he wrote.

Former Secretary of State, Mandelson made a similar intervention. Writing in the Sunday Times (£), he says Corbyn’s political programme is outdated and “will not work three”. He urges those who do not support Corbyn to “fight to win back Labour”.

Corbyn was elected yesterday with 59.5% of the vote in the first round. Since his victory seven shadow cabinet members have resigned from their senior posts.

Labour’s new leader has pledged to change the way PMQs works. Yesterday he e-mailed party members to ask them what questions he’d like to put to David Cameron. He is also in the process of putting together his shadow cabinet, although he says this might not be completed until Labour party Conference at the end of September.