5 years, 4 months ago

Tom Watson has done his duty – he has ensured there will be a Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Of all the power centres in the Labour Party, the deputy leadership was key to the internal resistance to Jeremy Corbyn. They kept trying to rewrite the party’s rules, to add a second deputy leader, and, this year, to ensure that, if Corbyn should become “permanently unavailable”, in the delicate language of the Labour constitution, Watson would be a prisoner of the National Executive as acting leader. And he organised a social-democratic front organisation among Labour MPs and peers – the Labour peers having in effect issued a unilateral declaration of independence from Corbyn. He has done his duty in making sure that the post-Corbyn parts of the party have survived the past four years, ready to help take Labour forward to a broad-based politics again.

Labour Party Leader Watson Corbyn Corbynites ensured jeremy watson tom party labour duty minister voices politics mps sign leader corbyn

History of this topic

How Dominic Cummings tried to help Jeremy Corbyn become prime minister

The Independent

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4 years, 9 months ago

Tom Watson: Former deputy Labour leader rejected for peerage

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tom Watson, the former deputy Labour leader, is one of three …

5 years, 2 months ago

Tom Watson to publish debut novel The House – about ‘cold-blooded ambition and betrayal’ in Parliament

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sphere Books, an imprint of publisher Little Brown UK, has announced …

5 years, 3 months ago

Labour leadership: Jeremy Corbyn must stand down now

The Independent

5 years, 3 months ago

Labour leadership: Demands for Jeremy Corbyn to apologise as he faces MPs after historic defeat

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jeremy Corbyn is facing demands to apologise for Labour’s election campaign …

5 years, 4 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn loses more election support, with former Labour MPs urging votes for Boris Johnson

ABC

Two former Labour MPs have urged voters not to support UK Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn in the upcoming general election. Key points: Former Labour junior minister Ian Austin urged voters to back Boris Johnson's Conservative Party The comments by the Labour figures came a day after deputy leader Tom Watson announced he was leaving politics Conservative candidate Nick Conrad stood …

5 years, 4 months ago

SIMON WALTERS: Did Tom Watson go quietly to get peerage?

Daily Mail

Jeremy Corbyn faced fury yesterday over claims that his former deputy Tom Watson will be rewarded with a peerage if he does not attack the Labour leader in the election. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with Tom Watson who resigned as deputy Labour leader on Wednesday Mr Watson resigned as deputy Labour leader on Wednesday following a series of clashes with …

5 years, 4 months ago

Dawn Butler, Laura Pidcock and Rebecca Long-Bailey lead the pack to replace Tom Watson

Daily Mail

Senior Jeremy Corbyn allies are the touted frontrunners to replace Tom Watson following his shock decision to quit as deputy leader and an MP last night. And frontbenchers Rebecca Long-Bailey and Laura Pidcock have also been mooted as a potential replacement to Mr Watson, who is not contesting his West Bromwich East seat in the December 12 election. Frontbenchers Rebecca …

5 years, 4 months ago

Tom Watson: Labour deputy leader stands down as MP

The Independent

5 years, 4 months ago

Tom Watson QUITS as Labour deputy leader AND won't stand at the election

Daily Mail

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has rocked the party by saying he will not stand for re-election as an MP Tom Watson tonight sent a shockwave through Westminster as he announced his intention to quit as the deputy leader of the Labour Party and said he will not contest the next general election. However, despite the apparent warmth in Mr …

5 years, 4 months ago

UK General election 2019: Labour Party deputy leader Tom Waston to step down

CNN

London CNN — The deputy leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party said Wednesday that he would stand down both from his frontline position and as a lawmaker at the country’s forthcoming general election on December 12, citing “personal not political” reasons. Watson, 52, has clashed publicly with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn several times, most notably over Brexit policy and how …

5 years, 6 months ago

Labour conference: Jeremy Corbyn’s defensive performance on Marr had it all

The Independent

5 years, 6 months ago

Tom Watson plot to 'become PM sparked bid to oust him as deputy'

Daily Mail

Jeremy Corbyn's allies moved to try to oust Labour deputy leader Tom Watson because they believed he was plotting with rebel Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs Allies of Jeremy Corbyn moved to try to oust Labour deputy leader Tom Watson because they believed he was plotting with rebel Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs to form a Government of national unity, …

5 years, 6 months ago

Labour civil war undermines efforts to present party as alternative government, says Tom Watson

Daily Mail

brexit countdown_bg Created with Sketch. The civil war at the top of Labour has undermined efforts to present the party as an alternative government, deputy leader Tom Watson has said - as he labels a bid to oust him as deputy leader a failed 'drive-by shooting'. Labour party deputy leader Tom Watson arrives for the Labour Party Conference at the …

5 years, 6 months ago

Tom Watson: Bid to oust Corbyn critic as Labour deputy leader fails after backlash splits party

The Independent

5 years, 6 months ago

Tom Watson urges Jeremy Corbyn to intervene as bid to oust him plunges Labour into civil war

The Independent

5 years, 6 months ago

Tom Watson slams attempt to oust him as Labour deputy leader

Daily Mail

Tom Watson has described the attempt to remove him as deputy leader of the Labour party as a 'drive-by shooting'. At a meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee last night, Momentum founder Jon Lansman proposed a motion to abolish the post of deputy leader, currently held by Watson, citing his disloyalty over Brexit. Labour party deputy leader Tom Watson arrives …

5 years, 6 months ago

Brexit: Tom Watson calls for Labour to demand referendum before election in latest clash with Jeremy Corbyn

The Independent

5 years, 8 months ago

Labour civil war deepens as Diane Abbott shares call for deputy leader Tom Watson to consider his position

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour’s civil war over antisemitism allegations has deepened after close Corbyn …

5 years, 9 months ago

Brexit latest: Senior Labour figures attempting to stop party backing second referendum

The Independent

5 years, 10 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn: Even loyal MPs are considering life without their leader over Brexit

The Independent

Despite the Conservatives’ calamitous fifth place in the European elections and their divisive leadership election, Labour somehow managed to match their bad headlines this week. Its poor third place behind Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and the Liberal Democrats came as a shock to Jeremy Corbyn, who was badly advised by aides about the likely impact of his “all things to …

5 years, 10 months ago

Tom Watson condemns 'spiteful' decision to expel Alastair Campbell from Labour Party

The Independent

5 years, 10 months ago

Brexit: Labour's old leader would have backed a second referendum, Tom Watson tells Corbyn

The Independent

5 years, 11 months ago

Tom Watson: Labour deputy leader storms out of meeting in row over Brexit referendum stance

The Independent

5 years, 11 months ago

Corbyn warned his Brexit 'fudge' is causing Labour exodus as party prepares for key referendum talks

The Independent

5 years, 11 months ago

Brexit: Labour MPs attack Corbyn after party chairman keeps job despite defying order to back new referendum

The Independent

6 years ago

Brexit negotiations lead senior Conservative MP to suggest unity government with Labour Party

ABC

The UK may be forced to create a national unity government to end the impasse over Britain leaving the European Union, as Prime Minister Theresa May clings to the Brexit divorce agreement that Parliament has rejected three times. Key points: The Conservatives' former education secretary says "a cross-party coalition" is worth considering Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson says he would …

6 years ago

Brexit vote: Corbyn to order Labour MPs to back second referendum

The Independent

6 years ago

Labour's general secretary criticises Tom Watson over handling of antisemitism row

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour’s general secretary has strongly criticised party deputy leader Tom Watson …

6 years, 1 month ago

Tom Watson makes direct challenge to Corbyn

Daily Mail

Tom Watson issued a direct challenge to Jeremy Corbyn today as he set up his own group of moderate MPs inside Labour and called for evidence of anti-Semitism in the party to be sent directly to him. Labour's deputy leader has become the focus of resistance to Mr Corbyn after nine MPs quit the party over anti-Semitism to set up …

6 years, 1 month ago

Which Tory and Labour MPs could join anti-Corbyn rebels in breakaway Independent Group?

The Independent

6 years, 1 month ago

Jeremy Corbyn accused of ditching Labour's Brexit policy as party delegates turn on leader

The Independent

6 years, 1 month ago

Labour row over Brexit grows as shadow minister says Corbyn's stance will keep party out of power

The Independent

7 years, 3 months ago

There will come a time when Jeremy Corbyn will need to decide what Labour’s Brexit policy actually is

The Independent

7 years, 8 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn could become 'unbeatable' and stay leader for years, says Tom Watson

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jeremy Corbyn has secured his position as Labour leader and …

8 years, 6 months ago

Len McCluskey warns Tom Watson: Labour members could vote you out given the chance

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Union chief Len McCluskey has taken a swipe at Labour deputy …

8 years, 6 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn tightens his grip on power over shadow cabinet elections as defiant MPs dig in for a fight

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Wes Streeting MP told the rally: “We the people in this room, and across our …

8 years, 6 months ago

UK: Jeremy Corbyn wins Labour leadership contest

Al Jazeera

Veteran socialist wins second mandate to run opposition party after bitter, summer-long battle within the Labour Party. Liverpool, UK – Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party after fending off a challenge from fellow MP Owen Smith. “After nine months of sabotage by some – but not all – of his MPs, Corbyn’s support in the …

8 years, 6 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn says Labour can win general election if he keeps attracting new voters

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Meanwhile, centrist Labour MPs fear that Mr Corbyn’s allies will try to force their deselection …

8 years, 7 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn allies to demand Tom Watson's scalp if High Court appeal over leadership contest fails

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “If it doesn’t go the way of McNicol and Watson tomorrow then surely their positions …

8 years, 7 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson rift widens over claims of Marxist entryism in Labour leadership contest

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The rift between Jeremy Corbyn and his deputy, Tom Watson, widened …

8 years, 9 months ago

Brexit: Boris Johnson rules out standing as Tory leader after Gove says he will run - as it happened

The Independent

8 years, 9 months ago

Brexit: Who's who in the political warfare gripping Britain?

ABC

The race is on in the UK to find David Cameron's successor as Conservative Party leader and prime minister, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has seen his own MPs pass a motion of no confidence in his leadership. The deputy leader was sending Snapchats from the Glastonbury music festival as Mr Corbyn sacked his shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn in …

9 years, 4 months ago

Tom Watson piles pressure on Jeremy Corbyn after backing British air strikes on Isis in Syria

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Four senior Labour MPs have broken cover to claim that Jeremy …

9 years, 6 months ago

Jeremy Corbyn elected leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party amid concern over unity

ABC

Anti-austerity left-winger Jeremy Corbyn has been elected leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party in a landslide victory that could divide the party and cause headaches for the government on foreign policy. Jeremy Corbyn's views on: Economy Opposed to austerity program, more aligned with Greece's radical Syriza party Advocates redistributive policies such as rent controls and high taxes on businesses and …

10 years, 4 months ago

Shadow Northern Ireland minister accuses Tom Watson of 'manipulating' votes

Daily Mail

A Labour shadow minister yesterday accused Tom Watson of rigging the party's leadership elections. In a furious Twitter row, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis suggested the former Labour campaign chief had been responsible for 'manipulating' votes. Mr Lewis is one of the last remaining Blairites on Ed Miliband's frontbench team, while Mr Watson was a close ally of Gordon …

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