Tuesday 12 July 2016

Jeremy Corbyn wins vote on Labour leadership rules


Angela Eagle and Jeremy CorbynImage copyrightAFP
Jeremy Corbyn will be automatically included on the ballot in Labour's leadership contest, the party's National Executive Committee has ruled.
Unions said party rules were clear the incumbent who is challenged must be allowed to stand but his opponents said he needed support of 51 MPs or MEPs.
Mr Corbyn said he was "delighted" with the result of the meeting.
His challenger, former shadow minister Angela Eagle, said she welcomed the contest and was "determined to win".
The secret NEC vote went 18-14 in the Labour leader's favour following hours of talks.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "The NEC has agreed that as the incumbent leader Jeremy Corbyn will go forward onto the ballot without requiring nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party and the European Parliamentary Labour Party.
"All other leadership candidates will require nominations from twenty percent of the PLP and EPLP."

Court challenge

Speaking outside the meeting, Mr Corbyn told a crowd of journalists and supporters: "So I'm on the ballot paper… and we will be campaigning on all the things that matter."
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a key ally of Mr Corbyn, said on Twitter: "Jeremy on the ballot. Democracy prevails. We will use leadership election to sign up even more members and prepare ground for general election."
But the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was highly likely that the Labour Party itself would challenge the decision in the courts.
Ms Eagle has said she is challenging Mr Corbyn because she can provide real leadership which he cannot.
Reacting to the vote on Tuesday night, she said: "I'm glad the NEC has come to a conclusion. I welcome the contest ahead and I am determined to win it."

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