2016 Labour Party leadership election (UK)
He qualified for the ballot at the last minute, nominated by 36 MPs, the majority of whom did not support him but felt that the party should be able to vote on a wider range of candidates.[18] A leadership challenge was then much discussed in the British press in November due to a split in the parliamentary party over the prospect of Britain's participation in air strikes in Syria.[20] The Guardian reported that "a small group of Labour MPs and advisers had been telling journalists for months to 'expect movement' against Corbyn on 24 June."[21] The pressure on Corbyn intensified as a result of the European Union referendum and dissatisfaction with his level of support for the losing Remain campaign.[21] On 25 June, a 'Saving Labour' campaign website was created, to encourage members of the public to email MPs to urge them not to back Corbyn.[25] The Scottish National Party sought to argue that they should become the official Opposition in the Commons with Labour unable to fill the role.[28] Angela Eagle, a former member of his Shadow Cabinet who resigned after Benn's sacking, was said on 30 June to have the number of backers required to launch a challenge.[29] Separate meetings to discuss the situation were held by Corbyn and Watson with UNITE trade union leader Len McCluskey on 5 July.[30] Following the sacking of Hilary Benn, and the vote of no confidence in Corbyn's leadership, over 100,000 new members were reported to have joined the Labour Party by 8 July, taking membership numbers above 500,000.[32][33] Corbyn challenged the rebels to stand against him,[34] and it was reported that Eagle had secured the support of at least the requisite number of nominations needed to launch a leadership bid.[39][40] Additionally the NEC ruled that local Constituency Labour Parties should not hold members' meetings during the leadership election period.[13][42] Smith explained that his decision to run for leader was partly because the future of the Labour party was at risk, stating that the "possibility of split is dangerously real".[43] Andrew Rawnsley, chief political commentator for The Observer, described the leadership race as a crisis for Labour, which he saw as "fighting for its life."The Collins Report also states: "The NEC should agree the detailed procedures for leadership elections including issues regarding registration, fees, and freeze dates".[70] As the incumbent, Jeremy Corbyn, following an interpretation by the National Executive Committee of disputed Labour Party rules, was automatically included on the ballot."[13][15] He explained that his decision to run for leader was partly because the future of the Labour party was at risk, stating that the "possibility of split is dangerously real".In the aftermath of this event, Jeremy Corbyn was accused by his opponents of undermining the campaign to remain in the European Union, and faced a string of significant resignations from his Shadow Cabinet.
Jeremy CorbynOwen SmithLeader of the Labour PartyRemain campaignreferendum on membership of the European Unionresult of the referendumHilary BennShadow Foreign SecretaryShadow CabinetresignedParliamentary Labour PartyTom WatsonDeputy LeaderAngela EagleNational Executive Committee2015 leadership electionEd MilibandSimon DanczukKen Livingstoneanti-semiticThe GuardianEuropean Union referendumseries of Shadow Cabinet resignationsThe Observervote of no confidenceScottish National PartyLen McCluskeyLabour PartyConstituency Labour PartiesAndrew RawnsleyremainEuropean Unionreferendum on Britain's membershipEuropean Parliamentary Labour Partyinstant-runoffElectoral Reform ServicesHigh CourtdecidedMr Justice HickinbottomCourt of AppealleadershipDoughty Street ChambersMichael MansfieldMP/MEPin 1988Neil KinnockAndrew NeilTheresa MayLeaderMichael FosterGeneral Secretary of the Labour PartyIain McNicolIslington NorthLeader of the OppositionAberconwyAberdeen DonsideAldridge-BrownhillsAlmond ValleyAlyn and DeesideArundel and South DownsArgyll and ButeAshton-under-LyneBarrow and FurnessBedfordBerwick-upon-TweedBeverley and HoldernessBirmingham Hall GreenBlackley and BroughtonBlaydonBognor Regis and LittlehamptonBolsoverBolton South EastBolton WestBournemouth EastBournemouth WestBootleBoston and SkegnessBradford EastBrent CentralBrentford and IsleworthBromley and ChislehurstBroxtoweBristol EastBristol North WestBristol SouthBristol WestBury NorthBury St EdmundsBrent NorthCalder ValleyCamberwell and PeckhamCanterburyCardiff CentralCarlisleCentral DevonCeredigionCheltenhamChesterfieldChesham and AmershamChippenhamChingford and Woodford GreenCities of London and WestminsterClactonClwyd WestClydebank and MilngavieCoatbridge and ChrystonCongletonColchesterCrewe and NantwichCroydon CentralCroydon NorthCunninghame SouthDagenham and RainhamDoncaster CentralDerbyshire DalesDevizesDewsburyDulwich and West NorwoodDundee EastDundee WestDwyfor MeirionnyddEast DevonEast SurreyEast Worthing and ShorehamEastleighEasington