Labour party

Watch: Jeremy Corbyn heckled over Europe at London Pride – ‘it’s your fault!’

From our UK edition

It's not turning out to be a great weekend for Jeremy Corbyn. First he had to pull out of a planned appearance at Glastonbury on Sunday to focus on Brexit, now his visit to London Pride has, too, been ruined by the referendum result. On meeting with members of Labour's LGBT community at Pride, Corbyn was repeatedly heckled over Remain losing the EU referendum. In a video shared on Twitter, Labour members repeatedly shout at the party leader: 'It's your fault Jeremy! It's your fault! When are you resigning? I had a Polish friend in tears because you couldn't get out the vote in Wales, the North and the Midlands.' https://twitter.com/TomMauchline/status/746674742204239872 https://twitter.

Will Jeremy Corbyn step down as Labour leader?

From our UK edition

Jeremy Corbyn is giving a speech this morning about Labour’s response to the EU referendum. Rumours have been sweeping the party overnight that the Labour leader will use the event to step down and hand over the reins to John McDonnell, who has been on manoeuvres for months. But aides deny that this will happen today. Nevertheless, there must be recognition in the Corbyn team that the situation is pretty precarious. The lengthy Shadow Cabinet meeting yesterday wasn’t as furious as some other parts of the parliamentary Labour party might have hoped, but some members are discussing resigning en masse to trigger a change at the top of the party.

Labour MPs table no confidence motion in Jeremy Corbyn

From our UK edition

In the past few minutes, two Labour MPs - Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey - have submitted a motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn. This is not a surprise given how angry the parliamentary party was after last night’s referendum results in its heartlands, but it now depends on whether their parliamentary colleagues have enough confidence to speak in its favour at a discussion at the parliamentary Labour party meeting on Monday, and then to back it in a secret ballot of the parliamentary party the following day. It is not yet clear whether the rebels, who have been preparing for this for a while, yet have the numbers. And even if they do, Corbyn's side believe he would automatically make the ballot paper in a new leadership contest. UPDATE, 12.

Leaked: Labour’s script responding to its terrible referendum result

From our UK edition

As Katy reported earlier, Labour has prepared a script that attempts to exonerate Jeremy Corbyn for the party’s terrible night in its heartlands in this referendum. I have now been leaked that script, which MPs are expected to use from 6am, and it makes rather entertaining reading. The best line is the following: ‘Jeremy Corbyn has showed that he is far closer to the centre of gravity of the British public than other politicians. He is now the only politician who can unite a divided country, as he can speak to both sides.’ It also says that ‘Jeremy is uniquely placed as a critical remainer. He understands why people voted to leave, he understood people’s criticisms of Europe - and is the only leader of a major party in Britain to whom that applies’.

A new home for Old Labour

From our UK edition

On the eve of last year’s general election result, many pundits predicted the demise of Britain’s two-party system. The likeliest outcome was another hung parliament in which one of the smaller parties — the Lib Dems or the SNP — held the balance of power. These same pundits pointed to the steady decline in membership of the two main parties, as well as the success of insurgent parties in the European and regional elections, as evidence of this sea change. In the event, the pundits were ridiculed for getting it wrong. Yet is it possible they were just a year too early? The surprise Brexit win in yesterday’s EU referendum looks like it may bring about some kind of political realignment.

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to take the blame for a Brexit in lacklustre Sky debate

From our UK edition

After finding himself accused of putting forward a half-hearted case for Remain, tonight Jeremy Corbyn had the chance to prove the naysayers wrong in his first -- and final -- live television debate of the referendum. Yet instead of making a passionate plea for In, Corbyn used the Sky News debate to raise some of his own reservations with the EU. While Corbyn admitted that he is not a 'lover of the European Union', he argued that it is better to stay and fight from within than to leave and be left with greater economic problems. However, it's his answers dwelling on the EU's flaws which are most likely to be remembered.

‘Our Jo’: MPs unite in grief to pay tribute to Jo Cox in Parliament

From our UK edition

MPs from all parties have gathered in the Commons to pay tribute to murdered Labour MP Jo Cox. Parliament was recalled today following the terrible events last Thursday. The Speaker John Bercow opened the moving session by saying politicians were gathered in 'heartbreaking sadness'. He went on to say: 'An attack like this strikes not only at an individual, but at our freedom. That is why we assemble here, both to honour Jo and to redouble our dedication to democracy.' Jeremy Corbyn then delivered his tribute to Jo Cox: David Cameron followed Corbyn in paying tribute to Jo Cox.

Tories pledge not to contest by-election after Jo Cox killing

From our UK edition

There are few moments in politics when parties put aside their differences to come together. Yesterday’s tragic events in Birstall has brought about one such occasion. After the terrible killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservatives have said they will not be contesting the by-election held in Batley and Spen.

‘Our Jo’: Newspaper front pages pay tribute to tragic Labour MP Jo Cox

From our UK edition

Unsurprisingly, the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox dominates the front pages this morning. The 41-year-old MP for Birstall died yesterday after being shot and stabbed in the street whilst out serving her constituents. Politicians from all parties have paid tribute to the mum-of-two since the dreadful attack. And today's newspapers are also united in expressing the widespread shock and horror felt at the killing. The Yorkshire Evening Post led with Jo Cox's husband Brendan's emotional tribute to his wife. In his statement, issued shortly after the tragic death was confirmed yesterday, Mr Cox pays tribute to his wife and says she would want only that her 'precious children are bathed in love' and that 'we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her'.

The Spectator’s Notes | 16 June 2016

From our UK edition

The Remain campaign takes as its model the ‘No’ one in the 2014 Scottish referendum. First and last — hence the Osborne/Darling fantasy horror Budget on Wednesday — inspire fear. Second, late in the day, leave it all to Labour and get Gordon Brown to make a passionate speech (Mr Brown took this too literally and made almost exactly the same passionate speech). Finally, shortly before polling, get leaders of all stripes to make a solemn ‘vow’ to win over the doubters. I am trying to work out what that vow could be. All 27 other member states promising some guarantee of Britain’s independence within the EU?

Labour MP Jo Cox dies after being attacked in the street

From our UK edition

Labour MP Jo Cox has died after being shot and stabbed in a brutal street attack. The MP for Batley and Spen passed away on her way to hospital following the incident earlier today in Birstall, West Yorkshire. Chief Constable Dee Collins said: ‘I am now very sad to have to report that she has died as a result of her injuries.’ Mother-of-two Cox, 41, was attacked close to a library where she had been holding a weekly advice surgery. A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. Cox was elected as an MP in 2015. According to her website, Jo was co-chair of the Friends of Syria All Party Parliamentary Group and was an active member of parliamentary groups working on Palestine, devolution, Pakistan, Kashmir and Yorkshire’s regional economy.

Labour MP Jo Cox critically injured in shooting

From our UK edition

Labour MP Jo Cox is in a critical condition after being injured during a shooting in her constituency. Eyewitnesses said the MP for Batley and Spen was attacked close to a library in Birstall, near Leeds, where she has previously held advice surgeries. A 52-year-old man has been arrested. Reports, that have not been confirmed, suggest the attacker shouted 'Britain First' shortly before the incident. West Yorkshire Police said they were aware of an 'ongoing incident'. A police spokesman said: 'At 12.53 today, police were called to a report of an incident on Market Street, Birstall, where a woman in her 40s has duffered serious injuries and is in a critical condition. A man in his late 40s nearby also suffered slight injuries.' Mum-of-two Cox was elected as an MP in 2015.

Will the Tories manage an upset in today’s forgotten by-election in Tooting?

From our UK edition

Amidst the fanfare surrounding the EU referendum, today's Tooting by-election has come around virtually unnoticed. Triggered by Sadiq Khan stepping down after being elected Mayor of London, the contest does not look like it will herald much in the way of surprises. Barring a big upset, Labour's Rosena Allin-Khan is set to win. Labour have held onto the seat since 1974, and it seems likely we won't see a Tory win this time around either. But today's by-election will be a closer race than it might have been a few years ago. At the last election, Labour's majority was slashed from 15,000 in 1997 to 2,800. And Allin-Khan will be up against Dan Watkins, who ran against Khan in 2015, winning some 22,000 votes. So does he stand any chance of defying the odds this time around?

Brexit’s bitter harvest

From our UK edition

Nick Cohen and Fraser Nelson discuss The Spectator's decision to back Brexit: We British flatter ourselves that common sense is a national personality trait. Giddy Europeans may follow the abstract notions of dangerous leaders, but we could not be more different. We are a practical, moderate breed — if we do say so ourselves — who act according to the evidence, not fantastical theories. Let me see how this dear delusion is bearing up. It feels as if the Leave campaign will win the EU referendum. But even if Leave loses, it seems certain that it will perform so well as to produce an existential crisis in both our main parties. Our fabled common sense should also tell us that the British economy could have a crisis of its own.

Tom Watson dumps all over David Cameron’s EU renegotiation deal

From our UK edition

Tom Watson’s comments today that a future government would have to try to reform freedom of movement rules in the European Union are clearly a last-ditch attempt to show the party’s voters that it is taking their anger about immigration seriously. But they are also strange, for three reasons. The first is that it is strange to be talking about a future renegotiation when the Remain campaign does still occasionally try to persuade voters that they are voting to stay in a reformed European Union. By talking about what more needs to be done, Watson is effectively dumping all over the renegotiation that David Cameron has already carried out, saying that there will need to be another one.

Gordon Brown shows once again he’s learnt nothing from his run-in with Gillian Duffy

From our UK edition

Gordon Brown’s intervention in the EU referendum debate was meant to be all about putting forward the positive case for voting ‘Remain’. But not for the first time, the former Prime Minister appears to have fallen flat on his face over immigration. It wasn’t quite as bad as Brown’s Gillian Duffy moment in that he didn’t call anyone ‘bigoted’ for holding a view on migration. Instead, though, the message to those worried about migration was…you’re worrying about the wrong thing. Brown told John Humphrys on Today that: ‘The biggest problem is illegal immigration.

Who is to blame for Labour’s lacklustre ‘In’ campaign?

From our UK edition

Gordon Brown is busy trying to reset the Remain campaign with a rather leftier tone today. As Tom writes, Labour voters are far less solid in their support for Britain staying in the European Union than the party had hoped, and so the campaign is being handed over to the party so that it can have a proper go at telling its voters that it supports staying in (something not all of them have yet noticed). A group of 20 Labour MPs has also penned a letter pleading for more airtime for Labour voices. It argues: ‘The impact of a leave vote will be catastrophic for the British people. Mainstream Labour voices in the debate must be given more airtime if this catastrophe is to be avoided.’ So whose fault is it that Labour voices have been frozen out?

Can Gordon Brown give the ‘Remain’ camp the boost it so badly needs?

From our UK edition

As the countdown to the EU referendum debate continues, the momentum appears to have continued to swing towards Brexit: 'Leave' went ahead in the polls last week, with one survey putting them five points clear of 'Remain'. What's more, David Cameron has looked more and more rattled. Yesterday, he had to answer questions on Marr about whether he really believed his warnings over Brexit, given that the UK leaving the European Union now doesn't seem so unlikely. So if Project Fear isn't paying off, what can the 'Remain' camp do to try and regain control of the debate? The answer for the Prime Minister this week is to take a step back from the campaign trail. Instead, Labour figures from the past and present will be urging their party's supporters not to back Brexit.

John McDonnell to reunite with ‘loony left’ comrades for rate-cap rebellion anniversary

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Although John McDonnell is tipped to be Jeremy Corbyn's likely successor, Mr S doubts his appearance at an an event next month will do much to help his leadership chances. The shadow chancellor is scheduled to appear at a talk entitled 'Local Government in Revolt' alongside Ted Knight and Hazel Smith. This event will see McDonnell reunited with his old comrades -- and 'key participants' -- from the Lambeth and Greater London Council rate-cap rebellion of the eighties. At the time, McDonnell was the GLC’s finance committee chairman. He was one of several figures who retaliated to the Thatcher government imposing caps on town hall spending by rallying supporters to oppose the caps and carry on spending regardless.