John McDonnell calls for ‘mammoth listening exercise’ after seven MPs resign
Labour's shadow chancellor says the party must ' address some of the criticisms that have been made' by quitting MPs
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called for a “mammoth listening exercise” after seven MPs quit Labour in protest at the party’s direction.
The comments came as one of the breakaway group, Chuka Umunna, signalled that a new centre party could be formally created by the end of the year.
The walkout saw party leader Jeremy Corbyn being warned he faces more resignations by Labour MPs unless he gets a grip on the problem of antisemitism within the party’s ranks.
McDonnell told Sky news: “We need a mammoth, massive listening exercise and (to) address some of those criticisms that have been made.”
The shadow chancellor said the “only disagreement we have had within the party is around how we handle Brexit and I think we are bringing people together on that”.
McDonnell played down suggestions that as many as 36 Labour MPs had been considering a split.
He said: “I don’t think there is that scale, but the key issue for us – and it was made clear at the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), Tom Watson said it and others – the Labour leadership, and I’m part of that, we need to keep listening, bring people in, talk to them.”
Asked when the breakaway group of MPs could evolve into an up-and-running centre party, Mr Umunna told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I would like to see us move as quickly as possible and certainly by the end of the year, but that’s my personal view.”
He added: “There needs to be an alternative, so that’s perfectly possible. But I don’t get to determine this.”
Tensions in Labour ranks broke into a stormy meeting of the PLP on Monday night.
Party chairman Ian Lavery faced an angry backlash at the gathering.
Labour sources said Mr Lavery stressed the leadership’s commitment to rooting out anti-Semitism at what was described as a “heated” behind-closed-doors gathering at Westminster.
But his claims were greeted with derision by some of those present with accusations that he failed to understand the “enormity” of the problem.
The clashes came after Mr Umunna, Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, Mike Gapes, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey said they would be sitting as a new Independent Group in the Commons and urged MPs – from Labour and other parties – to join them.
A party source said Mr Lavery had spelt out the measures being taken to deal with the “appalling abuse”.
“Ian Lavery spoke about the party’s traditions as a broad church, in which there is a wide range of opinions, but we work together to build a brighter future for millions of people and transform our society,” the source said.
“He made clear the party’s absolute determination to root out anti-Semitism and the work that is being done to improve procedures to tackle this appalling abuse.”
Earlier however, deputy leader Mr Watson – who has been critical in the past of efforts to deal with anti-Semitism in the party – said he feared there could be further resignations.
“I confess I feared this day would come. And I fear now that unless we change, we may see more days like this,” he said.
He called on Mr Corbyn to reshuffle his frontbench team so it better reflected the balance of opinion in the PLP, where many MPs reject the leader’s left-wing agenda.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
