Steerpike Steerpike

Starmer bars Corbyn from standing for Labour again

Getty

Et tu Keir? Starmer might have (twice) campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn to become Prime Minister, but that hasn’t stopped the current Labour leader from brutally turning on his onetime ‘friend’ in his relentless quest to reach No. 10. Starmer announced yesterday that he would be submitting a motion to Labour’s ruling body to bar Corbyn from being the party’s candidate at the next election, on the grounds of his past record in the 2019 election. And today that motion sailed through Labour’s National Executive Committee, passing by 22 votes to 12. Bye bye Jezza…

Mr S was intrigued by Starmer’s decision to focus on political (electability) rather than moral (antisemitism) reasons as the basis for his motion to bar Corbyn. But allies of Corbyn have admitted to the Times that the drafting of the proposal drastically curtails the grounds for legal action against Labour. That leaves him with little option but to retire or run against the party – something that would mean his expulsion as a card-carrying member.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in