Jeremy Corbyn could face leadership challenge next month, Labour MP suggests
Exclusive: Pro-EU Labour figures fear that Mr Corbyn will not throw his full weight behind the Remain campaign
Labour MPs have warned Jeremy Corbyn he must make more effort to mobilise Labour supporters in order to prevent Britain voting to leave the EU in next month’s referendum.
Pro-EU Labour figures fear that Mr Corbyn will not throw his full weight behind the Remain campaign and that it could lose the referendum as a result. Some Labour MPs have even raised the prospect he could face a leadership challenge after a Brexit vote, as he would get the blame. But others insist the Labour leader is safe for a year.
In an interview with The Independent, Jo Cox, a Labour backbencher, said: “The next big challenge for Jeremy in the next few weeks is the referendum. Lots of us in the Labour Party are going to be looking for some real leadership from Jeremy. He has to lead from the front and put a convincing case.”
The MP for Batley and Spen said: “Whatever the outcome of the referendum, there will be huge implications for both the Conservative and Labour parties.” Asked if a Brexit vote could provoke a Labour leadership contest, Ms Cox replied: “I want to see those Labour voters come out and vote Remain. If they don’t, and we leave [the EU], that is a conversation for 24 June.”
She said Mr Corbyn, as a sceptic about some aspects of the EU, had a “unique voice” and must deploy it “with gusto.”
There are fears in the Remain camp that, although Mr Corbyn launched Labour’s pro-EU campaign this week, he will not follow it up with regular appearances and speeches over the next six weeks. With the opinion polls next and neck, and a majority of Conservative supporters likely to back Brexit, Remain is desperate to win Labour voters. Mr Corbyn voted to leave the EU in the 1975 referendum and there are fears that a lukewarm endorsement of membership by him now would not persuade Labour supporters to vote to stay.
One Labour frontbencher said: “If the public vote to leave the EU, Labour will get the blame.” Another said: “The finger would be pointed at Jeremy and there could be consequences.”
However, other senior Labour figures dismissed the prospect of a leadership challenge after a Brexit vote. One Shadow Cabinet member said: “Jeremy is safe for a year. We should get behind him now. If the Tories are tearing themselves apart and trying to get rid of Cameron, why on earth would we do the same? It would be madness.” Corbyn allies insist he is fully committed to Britain remaining in the EU. They will be dismayed that Labour MPs are setting yet another test for him only four days after he appealed to them for unity.
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