Dugdale casts doubt on Corbyn’s ability to carry on

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has weighed in on Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership crisis, suggesting that he will not be able to do the job “effectively” following a no confidence vote this afternoon.

Although Dugdale did not explicitly say that Corbyn should resign, she said that she would “not be able to do my job” if she was in his position and that he should “reflect” on the outcome of today’s Parliamentary Labour Party ballot.

Dugdale is the latest major figure to vocalise their scepticism in Corbyn’s leadership, as his support among elected figures becomes increasingly scarce.

Speaking this evening, Dugdale said:

“My primary focus as Leader of the Scottish Labour party is on the impact of Brexit on jobs and the Scottish economy, and what support I can offer the Scottish Government on that basis.

“However, I would have to accept that, despite my own mandate of 72 per cent from the party membership, if the overwhelming majority of Labour MSPs did not support my leadership, I would not be able to do this job effectively.

“Jeremy and I were elected leader of the UK and Scottish parties at similar times with similar mandates. We both have a job of uniting our parliamentary party to be an effective opposition and ultimately a party of government.

“I would not be able to do my job if i did not have the support of the parliamentary party, regardless of the mandate that members give me. Jeremy should reflect on the outcome of the PLP vote but I would not carry on in similar circumstances.”