Corbyn won’t intervene in Hilary Benn deselection row because it’s none of his business
Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Hilary Benn [Image: The Canary].
Corbyn supporters are alleged to have staged a “takeover” of the Leeds Central Constituency Labour Party (CLP), but they’re all members of the Labour Party – and who says they’re “Corbyn supporters”? Can’t they just be supporters of traditional Labour values – the values Mr Benn rejected last summer?
In the video clip attached to the BBC website article, the reporter asks Mr Corbyn why Labour Party members should be allowed to go against the wishes of thousands of voters, but this is a deliberate act of misinformation.
Voters do not choose any political party’s candidates. Voters choose from candidates who are put forward by the memberships of political parties. Hilary Benn was chosen as a candidate for Leeds Central by the CLP, and the CLP has every right to remove him from candidacy in a future election.
This Site made these points perfectly clear in an article published last November, when Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was asked whether he would intervene in Mr Benn’s case. To reiterate: It isn’t that Mr Corbyn – or anybody else – won’t intervene; it’s that they simply don’t have the authority.
Mr Corbyn is also right that constituency boundaries are being redrawn by the Conservatives, in an attempt to make it easier for Tories to win general elections. If this means Leeds Central will no longer exist, then he is entitled to put his name forward to be a candidate for the new constituency – in competition with anybody else from that constituency who wishes to put their name forward.
Considering the way he has blackened his name, Mr Benn should think very carefully before doing so.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told the BBC he will not step in to protect Hilary Benn, following reports the former cabinet minister is facing deselection.
Source: Corbyn ‘won’t intervene’ in Hilary Benn deselection row – BBC News
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
It would show great magnanimity on Corbyn’s part if he appealed on behalf of Benn, a man who had worked against him, even if he had no influence to prevent Benn’s deselection. That would be the action of a great man. Which is why I know, in my heart of hearts, it has zero chance of happening.
more to come i Hope
Jeremy is right, Hilary Benn wanted to go his own way well all we can say is good by
Hilary Benn made that rabble rousing speech, in the Commons, about air strikes, in Syria. The media reporting that followed suggested that he was more of a leader than Mr. Corbyn. Who was right?
Furthermore, to stage a coup when he did was highly irresponsible and it is of no surprise that his constituency party members wish to express their disgust.
Everybody who said Corbyn was the leader.
Maybe Hilary will be offered opportunities to take on world speaking tours and interventions in far off land in the name and guise of peace or relief with a horde of arms merchants as his entourage.
I bet someone will employ him. Or maybe he will take his rightful place in the House of Lords, His father gave up his own peerage but not that of his sons.
The BBC seems to be at odds with both The Labour and Tory parties. They are back again trying to sell their disinformation regarding the “takeover” of Leeds Central PLP. Yet every day this week they have been reporting the dreadful condition the NHS is currently in. Why? Are they deliberately trying to raise May’s hackles? She has been forced to acknowledge it although she managed to paint it as “a few minor problems”! Are they hedging their bets as to who might be the next PM? Puzzling.
I complained to the BBC about the tone and content of this article. Their reply assures me that the article was to inform in an impartial way and reflect what was said in the interview. I notice that the original piece has been updated (and I think shortened considerably) and it now reads in line with the interview.
If I had thought about it, I would have taken a screen shot so that I could confirm and challenge the BBC on this. I don’t suppose you did Mike?
I didn’t.
I suppose we might have to start doing that, considering what you’re saying.