Agencies
London, June 26: UK’s Opposition Labour party Sunday faced a full-blown revolt after Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign secretary which was followed by resignations of other key shadow Cabinet members including an Indian-origin minister as differences emerged over the veteran leader’s “lacklustre” handling of the EU referendum.
Seema Malhotra, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, became the latest to join seven shadow Cabinet colleagues to revolt against Corbyn after foreign secretary Hilary Ben was fired. Ben was sacked after he said he no longer had confidence in Corbyn’s leadership. Soon after, his colleague, shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander announced her resignation on Twitter.
Next to go were Gloria de Piero, shadow minister for young people and voter registration, and Ian Murray, shadow minister for Scotland. Resignations from Lilian Greenwood, shadow minister for transport, Lucy Powell for education, and Kerry McCarthy in charge of environment, food and rural affairs, came soon after Malhotra quit.
Other members of Corbyn’s shadow Cabinet are also expected to follow suit as many of the Labour MPs have been critical of Corbyn’s handling of Britain’s EU referendum and demanding his resignation. The shock decision
by the country to vote to
leave the 28-member European Union (EU) was against
the wishes of most Labour lawmakers.
“There is no confidence to win the next election if Jeremy continues as leader. In a phone call to Jeremy I told him I had lost confidence in his ability to lead the party and he dismissed me,” Ben said. Reports suggest that Benn has been encouraging shadow ministers to resign if Corbyn ignored a motion of no confidence.
“At this absolutely critical time for our country following the EU referendum result, the Labour Party needs strong and effective leadership to hold the government to account,” Ben told BBC, ruling out his own ambitions to stand for party leadership. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Parliament could attempt to block Britain from leaving the European Union, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said Sunday.
US voices Brexit regret
Rome: US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed regret Sunday that Britain has chosen to leave the European Union (EU) and vowed Washington will maintain close ties with the bloc. Kerry, who flies to Brussels and London Monday for crisis talks with EU and British leaders, said the ideal of unity must remain paramount as Britain negotiates “Brexit”. “An EU united and strong is our preference for a partner to be able to work on the important issues that face us today,” Kerry told reporters during a visit to Rome.
