Labour MPs rally around their fallen attack dog

Michael Dugher has today been fired by Jeremy Corbyn from his role as Shadow Culture Secretary after serving less than five months on Corbyn’s frontline.

Just been sacked by Jeremy Corbyn. I wished him a happy new year.

— Michael Dugher (@MichaelDugher) January 5, 2016

While the move will no doubt come as a blow to Dugher, the responses from his fellow MPs on Twitter suggest that his demotion could actually be the biggest loss to politics in recent history. Dugher’s comrades have been releasing carefully worded tributes in honour of their fallen soldier:

If getting rid of the Tories & electing a Labour government to implement Labour values is your thing, @MichaelDugher is your man. A big loss

— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) January 5, 2016

.@MichaelDugher is Labour to the core & has served our Party with distinction. He can leave the front-bench with his head held high.

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 5, 2016

Sorry @MichaelDugher leaving the shadow cabinet. One of @UKLabour's best campaigners who's worked hard to widen access to the arts & sport.

— Luciana Berger (@lucianaberger) January 5, 2016

I've been mates with @MichaelDugher since I was 16. Sorry to hear this news. I know he will continue to campaign hard for the party he loves

— Jonathan Ashworth (@JonAshworth) January 5, 2016

Very sorry to see @MichaelDugher leave Shadow Cabinet. Michael is a formidable campaigner who provides an important & authentic voice.

— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) January 5, 2016

Sad to see this. @MichaelDugher is a highly effective & authentic voice 4 working ppl & a great champion for #Labour https://t.co/bGFEhfFqxD

— Dan Jarvis (@DanJarvisMP) January 5, 2016

Shame that a talent like @MichaelDugher lost from shadcab. Thought his stuff on access to culture for working class kids, regional arts(1/2)

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) January 5, 2016

Still, at least one comrade is able to find some perspective at this difficult time. Labour’s John Mann has had enough of all this ‘guff’ about Dugher, putting the decision down to ‘politics’.

https://twitter.com/JohnMannMP/status/684333009206657024

As for the rest of the Labour MPs? It’s almost as though they are keen to keep Labour’s attack dog — who previously worked closely with Labour spin doctor Damian McBride under Gordon Brown — on side. Perhaps Corbyn ought to take note.