Labour rebels ‘have been plotting coup since April’

Last Updated: June 27, 2016By
Lucy Powell: Did husband James Williamson let slip more than she would have wanted on a railway station platform in April?

Lucy Powell: Did husband James Williamson let slip more than she would have wanted in a West Didsbury pub in April?

This puts a very different complexion on all the claims that the resignations are down to Corbyn’s “lacklustre” referendum campaign, doesn’t it?

160627 Labour coup planned in April

For clarity, the message, posted on Twitter (I found it here), states: “This post was sent to me by an acquaintance of mine whose integrity I can vouch for: He was told in front of witnesses in the Railway pub in West Didsbury as long ago as April, by Lucy Powell MPs husband, that “Jeremy Corbyn would not be leader of the Labour by October.” When he asked why before October?, I=He was told that “the coup” would be after the referendum. In other words this particular coup was planned a long time ago and has nothing to do with the referendum campaign. Labour Party members can draw their own conclusions.”

Now, I know it’s just an anonymous tip-off on Twitter, but I trust my source, and it raises questions that need to be answered.

Clearly, if this information is correct, then claims that Hilary Benn’s planned coup and the resignations following it were triggered by a “lacklustre” performance in the referendum campaign by Mr Corbyn are lies.

If that is the case, do Labour Party members really want to be led into a decision on the back of another series of lies – especially considering the referendum result is based on a pack of lies from the ‘Leave’ campaign?

I don’t think so.

I do think that mechanisms within the Labour Party, to investigate the machinations of the former shadow cabinet members who appear to have been conspiring against Mr Corbyn for many months, should be triggered and they should be suspended from the party on suspicion of bringing the party into disrepute until such time as investigations are complete.

Sauce for the goose: If it was good enough for Ken Livingstone, it’s good enough for them.

Meanwhile, 38 Degrees’ petition of confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, supporting his leadership, has passed 200,000 signatures. You can sign it here.

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has told Jeremy Corbyn he has “no authority” among Labour MPs and warned him he faces a leadership challenge.

The two men met after a spate of resignations from shadow cabinet.

The Labour leader launched a fightback on Monday morning, unveiling a new top team after a fresh round of walkouts from shadow ministers.

Mr Corbyn, who was elected in September in a landslide victory, is facing a vote of no confidence from Labour MPs.

Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle, Maria Eagle (defence) Lisa Nandy (energy) and Owen Smith (work and pensions) are among the latest members of the front bench to resign.

Mr Corbyn has pledged to stand in any new leadership election if there is a formal challenge to his position.

Source: Tom Watson tells Jeremy Corbyn he faces leadership challenge – BBC News

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25 Comments

  1. Brian June 27, 2016 at 1:01 pm - Reply

    It will indeed be a victory to rid ourselves of these blue knicker wearing hypocrites. Having what we vote for is all the public ask, is that to much to ask?

  2. David June 27, 2016 at 1:38 pm - Reply

    Diane Abbott said as much as this on Question Time last night.

    • Mike Sivier June 27, 2016 at 7:23 pm - Reply

      She did!

  3. Roy Beiley June 27, 2016 at 1:39 pm - Reply

    Looks as though politics will never change while the elite in both Tory and Labour parties are so up their own bums lying and conspiring to try and thwart the wishes of the people they allegedly serve.

    • Mike Sivier June 27, 2016 at 7:22 pm - Reply

      I take it you’re happy, then, as Corbyn isn’t putting up with any of this nonsense from his (now) backbenchers.

  4. cnhay June 27, 2016 at 1:39 pm - Reply

    Beginring to get a very nasty feeling in my bones that these conniving bunch have also been plotting not only the downfall of Jeremy Corbyn but also the failure of the stay in vote for the EU referendum , One begins to get the feeling of a complot between Tory and Labour right wingers, Let us hopt that Corbyn can survive this attack on him and steer the Labour party back to a force in British politics and not a whimpering lap dob of the tories.

  5. hayfords June 27, 2016 at 1:42 pm - Reply

    I would have thought they were plotting from the day after he was elected.

  6. Rusty June 27, 2016 at 2:35 pm - Reply

    Corbyn needs to get rid of the blairite backstabbing turncoats ASAP , if corbyn goes I think twenty % of voters will abstain from another right wing candidate, this will seriously harm the labour party and we can’t have that!

  7. jeffrey davies June 27, 2016 at 2:41 pm - Reply

    they can cross the floor or face the sack but jc has to rid himself of these greedie mps you wonder why they say not many women at westminster hmm backstabbers are they jeff3

    • David Woods June 28, 2016 at 4:30 pm - Reply

      They should not have the option – sack them!
      The Labour Party will be stronger without them, and their constituents deserve the right to elect honest politicians!

  8. Bill Kruse June 27, 2016 at 6:29 pm - Reply

    Does this proposed coup have anything to do with the upcoming Chilcot Report, one wonders?

  9. Jim Round June 27, 2016 at 7:55 pm - Reply

    Interesting times ahead.
    A few articles around the web about the “have nots” backing Brexit, rather than looking long and hard at neoliberalism.
    Point is that most of these “have nots will not have voted, areas with more young people had a lower turnout.
    Remember my prediction that The Tories would win in 2015, well, if there is a General Election this year I predict they will win again, possibly with UKIP on board, unfortunately right wing parties had a higher vote share than left wing parties, more than likely the same will happen again.
    I also wonder if Scotland will be allowed a second Independence Referendum, will Gove or whoever wins allow it?
    It is very early days at the moment but if the “have nots” think that “Taking Their Country Back” will improve their lot, they are very sadly mistaken.
    I was very busy prior to the Referendum Vote, but I was 95% certain that “Leave” would win, this formed of listening to voices and opinions through the the UK.

    I posted this comment on an earlier post, must have gone into your junk folder, still awaiting moderation.

  10. thelovelywibblywobblyoldlady June 27, 2016 at 9:32 pm - Reply

    Maybe the “Blairite” MPs who have resigned should set up their own party. They could call themselves something like “Middle of the road”
    Although I find, if you do stand in the middle of the road, there’s a very good chance you could get run over.

    • Mike Sivier June 28, 2016 at 12:07 am - Reply

      “Middle of the roadkill”?

  11. hayfords June 27, 2016 at 10:03 pm - Reply

    The Mirror has been one of Corbyn’s biggest supporters. Tomorrow’s headline is “GO NOW”

    • Mike Sivier June 28, 2016 at 12:07 am - Reply

      And?

    • Daniel June 28, 2016 at 7:53 am - Reply

      I’d love to know where you get that idea from Hayfords. My parents read the Daily Mirror, so I occasionally read it (when visiting, 2-3 times a week) and they have had the knives out for Corbyn since he was elected! They backed Burnham, and continue to do so to this day.

      It was also telling that on the day before the referendum, they had 2 full page spread adverts for Remain (one from the main campaign and one from the Unions campaign) and 2.5 full page spreads for Brexit – all from UKIP! They’ve done very well out of the referendum…

  12. Stu June 27, 2016 at 10:57 pm - Reply

    My 33 year old Daughter told me something interesting today.
    Most of her friends voted OUT as a protest vote because it was the only way that the Government would listen to them and were shocked at the result.
    Being shown a strong stable Labour Party presence, would help convince these voters but unfortunately the Right Wing Press don’t allow any positive Labour articles through to publication.

    What to do?

    • Mike Sivier June 28, 2016 at 12:04 am - Reply

      Read the social media. If you want to say strong Labour Party leadership, look at Jeremy Corbyn, standing up to the party unfaithful who want to drag him down in spite of the wishes of the vast majority of the party’s membership.

  13. Nick June 27, 2016 at 11:03 pm - Reply

    looks like corbyn will have to go ?

    • Mike Sivier June 28, 2016 at 12:06 am - Reply

      Why, does he have an appointment somewhere?
      Seriously, he won’t have to go anywhere. The vote tomorrow has no weight. The quitters have been replaced. If those attempting the ‘coup’ want to force a leadership election, he’ll walk it.
      I think we all know who will be gone when the dust settles, and it won’t be Mr Corbyn.

  14. autismandate June 27, 2016 at 11:44 pm - Reply

    If there is a leadership challenge against Corbyn, the obvious candidate for the coup ers to nominate to represent them is someone who has just become available. You’ve guessed it, David Cameron.

    • Mike Sivier June 28, 2016 at 12:06 am - Reply

      Ha ha!
      I think he’d have to give up his membership of the Conservative Party first – like Chris Bryant.

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