Labour MEPs join demands for Corbyn to go

The leader of Labour in the European Parliament has today sent a letter to Jeremy Corbyn on behalf of Labour MEPs, calling on him to step down.

The European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) met today for the first time since last week’s Brexit vote, and agreed to send Corbyn the letter outlining their “very serious concerns”.

The letter, sent by EPLP leader Glenis Willmott, criticises the nature of the party’s handling of the referendum issue in the days following the vote, and highlights Corbyn’s lack of support among MPs. In particular, MEPs appear unhappy with a briefing document sent out by the party that they felt “promoted” the work done by Leave supporting Labour MPs Kate Hoey and Gisela Stuart.

Following the overwhelming vote of no confidence among Labour MPs yesterday, the letter states that it is “hard to see how any Labour leader can continue in that role”.

The move has important implications for a possible leadership contest, if it is determined that Corbyn needs parliamentary nominations to re-stand. The NEC could decide that the Labour leader needs to gather the signatures of 50 MPs and MEPs to be on the ballot, and it is no longer clear that he would manage it. The New Statesman reports that while the decision to demand Corbyn’s resignation was not unanimous among Labour’s 20 MEPs, it was supported by a majority.

Presuming that the 40 MPs who supported Corbyn in yesterday no confidence ballot nominated him again, his lack of support among MEPs would still leave him short of the number of backers he needs.

You can read the full letter below:

Dear Jeremy

The European Parliamentary Labour Party met today for its first meeting since the referendum and concluded that we should send you this letter today.

The EPLP has always striven to have a loyal and constructive relationship with our party leader, and we have worked hard to cooperate with you over recent months. However, we have very serious concerns in the light of Labour’s defeat in the referendum campaign.

Responsibility for the UK leaving the EU lies with David Cameron. That being said, we were simply astounded that on Friday morning, as news of the result sank in, an official Labour briefing document promoted the work of Kate Hoey and Gisela Stuart for the Leave campaign.

Labour’s loyal and dedicated teams of activists had just spent weeks on the doorstep and on street-stalls making the case to remain in the EU and countering leave campaign arguments.

Yet you and your office authorised a briefing that put the whole Labour campaign on a par with two Labour politicians who had been appearing for weeks alongside right-wing politicians, such as Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.

Separate from the referendum issue, it has become clear in recent days that you do not have the confidence of the Parliamentary Labour Party. We find it hard to see how any Labour leader can continue in that role if they do not have the support of their MPs.

So it is with a heavy heart that we urge you, for the sake or the Labour Party and for the people in our country who need a Labour government, to reconsider your position as Labour leader.

Yours sincerely

Glenis Willmott MEP