Could Corbyn cling on if Labour lose?

Unless Jeremy Corbyn defies the odds, it looks unlikely that the Labour leader will become prime minister come 13 December. So what might happen if Corbyn loses for a second time? Will he try to cling on? Is there life for Labour after Corbyn?

Before the campaign began, John McDonnell conceded Corbyn could not remain leader if the party loses. If that sounded conclusive from the shadow chancellor, Len McCluskey subsequently muddied the water. Instead of Corbyn immediately stepping down, there should, he said, be ‘a period of reflection’ after any defeat. ‘We need to consider the election result’, he went on, ‘If it was a defeat … then we’d have to look at the scale of that, and where it happened. That requires some calm deliberation…there would have to be a proper debate and discussion.’ As General Secretary of Unite, and the single most important Corbyn supporter in the party, McCluskey’s words carry much weight.

These comments confirm the impression that Corbynites are not ready to let their leader go until they have established as best they can that his successor will be a like-minded figure.