LABOUR rebels are mounting a secret plot to oust Jeremy Corbyn as his own backbenchers fear the party will get “smashed” in a general election.
The moderate MPs plan to force the Labour boss to resign before the party is wiped out by the Tories in a national vote.
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RED REVOLT
They also want to block ‘Corbyn legacy’ candidates standing in vacant seats – ending Mr Corbyn’s plot to keep the party on the far left after he leaves, The Mail on Sunday reports.
The rebels have set up a WhatsApp group called ‘Clause One’ – a reference to the party’s constitution – where they will discuss ways to oust the Islington North MP.
It comes after moderate MP Neil Coyle told Mr Corbyn to his face that his leadership could be disastrous for the party’s hopes of ever getting back to No10.
Mr Coyle, who represents Bermondsey, reportedly said: “If you give Johnson the Election he wants, it’s not just you that will not be Prime Minister.
“If Johnson decides to get a No Deal Brexit and then Scotland leaves the UK, we may never have a Labour Prime Minister again.’
I’ve been calling for an election ever since the last one because this country needs one to deal with all the social injustice issues – but No Deal must be taken off the table.
Jeremy Corbyn
The Labour boss is facing a revolt from his own backbenchers because of his dithering over an answer to Boris Johnson’s election call – with many concerned a national poll pre-Brexit could cost them their seats.
In an interview last week, Mr Corbyn said: “Take no-deal off the table and we absolutely support a general election.
“I’ve been calling for an election ever since the last one because this country needs one to deal with all the social injustice issues – but No Deal must be taken off the table.”
Mr Corbyn’s desperation for backing an election also put him on a fresh collision course with his Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and fellow pro-Remain frontbenchers who want Labour to force through a second referendum before giving the green light for an election.
LABOUR ELECTION FEARS
Last week insiders said that more than half of Labour MPs told party whips they would not vote for an election in the Commons.
One source told the Daily Mail: “If he’s stupid enough to give Boris an election now we are going to get smashed.”
Earlier this month it was alleged that Mr McDonnell had taken over the Labour party from a “worn out” Mr Corbyn after a “silent coup”.
Insiders suggested the Shadow Chancellor is allegedly now leader in all but name and is running the party day-to-day as it gears up for a general election.
It is believed he has drawn up a list of ministers he wants in the leader of the opposition’s office, so that Mr Corbyn is surrounded by his allies, The Times reports.
Mr McDonnell is also thought to have launched his own policy platform.
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An insider said: “McDonnell is now basically the leader of the Labour Party.
“It’s a silent coup. He’s getting his own people in, isolating and picking off the old guard around Corbyn.”
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