LONDON, June 26 (UPI) — Britain’s Labor Party is in turmoil as six members of the cabinet resigned and one was fired after the nation voted in a referendum to quit the European Union.
Jeremy Corbyn, party’s leader, fired his shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, on Sunday after reports that Benn was planning a coup against his leadership.
Corbyn has vowed to remain despite criticism of a lackluster campaign to keep Britain in the EU.
“There will be no resignation of a democratically elected leader with a strong mandate from the membership,” his office said.
The shadow cabinet is a senior group of opposition members of Parliament to criticize the government’s policies.
Benn told Corbyn about his concerns.
“Following the result of the EU referendum, we need strong and effective leadership of the Labor Party that is capable of winning public support,” Benn said. “In a phone call to Jeremy I told him I had lost confidence in his ability to lead the party and he dismissed me.”
Heidi Alexander, who speaks for the party on health issues, stepped down, and others followed: Gloria De Piero, youth affairs; Ian Murray, for Scotland and Labor’s only remaining member of Parliament there; Lilian Greenwood, transport; Lucy Powell, education; and Kerry McCarthy, environment.
With the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron, a new Conservative leader elected by the party will take over in the fall.
Corbyn became the leader when Labor lost to Cameron in the May 2015 general election.
Corbyn faces a vote of confidence by two lower-ranking Labor legislators. Labor’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, and if the chairman decides to accept debate, a secret ballot could held Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said Sunday that the Scottish Parliament might move to try to block Britain’s EU exit. “You’re not going to vote for something that is not in Scotland’s interests,” she said on Sunday Politics Scotland.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.