On Tuesday, Labour’s National Executive Committee met for eight and a half hours as Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson tried to steer the party in different directions. Facing the prospect of Corbyn being reinstated as Labour leader indefinitely, Watson attempted to pass a motion for the return of Shadow Cabinet elections.
The deputy Labour leader’s claim that it would help ‘put the band back together’ as the party tries to heal wasn’t enough to convince the NEC. A motion to decide on the details of the plan ahead of Saturday’s leadership result was voted down, with a second motion to ensure a decision is made on Saturday also defeated.
However, it wasn’t all bad news for the moderates. Corbyn did at least agree to continue discussions on the idea. What’s more, it was decided that two new places will be added to the executive committee allowing a frontbencher from both the Scottish parliament and the Welsh assembly to join. Given that Corbyn’s wish to have these places chosen by activists was not granted, there is an opportunity for Labour centrists to add two non-Corbynistas to the committee and — in turn — increase their chance of having motions passed in future.
Overall the meeting was a step in the right direction for party morale. While Corbyn and his deputy have been sparring partners of late, Watson described it as a ‘very positive meeting’ and was even gifted some shortbread by the ‘totally anti-sugar‘ Labour leader. While it isn’t yet clear who came out on top, MPs can take heart that today’s conversations offer a glimmer of hope as they embark on a new chapter in the Corbyn regime.
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