As Jeremy Corbyn made his speech to conference, Labour’s new frontbench did their best to put on a united front on the front row. As for the frontbenchers of Labour’s past? Well, it could hardly be described as a show of solidarity. Both Chuka Umunna and Tristram Hunt were nowhere to be seen at the speech, with ITV’s Chris Ship reporting that they had already left Brighton on a train:
Somewhere between Brighton & London Victoria stations is a train carriage with @ChukaUmunna @TristramHuntMP & @MaryCreaghMP escaping #Lab15
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 29, 2015
While Hunt did at least tweet supportive messages to Corbyn during the speech, Umunna has maintained a radio silence. On top of failing to show at the leader’s conference, the former shadow business secretary also cancelled an appearance at a fringe event today where he was due to speak on the future of the centre left:
Hmmm just turned up to fringe event on Future of the Centre Left with Chuka Umunna. Doesn't bode well #Lab15 pic.twitter.com/wznrisOiug
— Gerri Peev (@GerriPeev) September 29, 2015
Judging by the rapturous response to Corbyn’s speech in the hall, the future of the centre left in Labour looks bleak.
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