Corbyn won’t intervene in Hilary Benn deselection row because it’s none of his business

Last Updated: January 13, 2017By

Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Hilary Benn [Image: The Canary].

Look at the language in this BBC article.

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.

Mr Benn, who was sacked as shadow foreign secretary last summer amid a row over Mr Corbyn’s leadership, is MP for Leeds Central – where there have been reports of a “takeover” of the local constituency party by Mr Corbyn’s supporters .

Mr Corbyn told BBC Look North’s political editor Len Tingle: “I do not, as a leader, dictate or interfere in what local parties do. I want justice, I want democracy, I want fairness, I want representation.”

He said all parties faced a selection process once new constituency boundaries had been decided, adding: “We’re getting a bit ahead of the curve here.”

Source: Corbyn ‘won’t intervene’ in Hilary Benn deselection row – BBC News

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10 Comments

  1. Martin January 13, 2017 at 9:33 am - Reply

    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.

  2. Jackie Cairns January 13, 2017 at 10:07 am - Reply

    more to come i Hope

  3. Roland Laycock January 13, 2017 at 10:16 am - Reply

    Jeremy is right, Hilary Benn wanted to go his own way well all we can say is good by

  4. Zippi January 13, 2017 at 1:08 pm - Reply

    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?

    • Zippi January 13, 2017 at 1:10 pm - Reply

      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.

    • Mike Sivier January 15, 2017 at 9:07 pm - Reply

      Everybody who said Corbyn was the leader.

  5. aunty1960 January 13, 2017 at 7:25 pm - Reply

    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.

  6. Roy Beiley January 13, 2017 at 8:55 pm - Reply

    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.

  7. Jeanette January 16, 2017 at 11:35 am - Reply

    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?

    • Mike Sivier January 16, 2017 at 11:40 am - Reply

      I didn’t.
      I suppose we might have to start doing that, considering what you’re saying.

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