Jeremy Corbyn’s election night speech did little to address the fact he led Labour to its worst result since 1935. However, he did at least acknowledge that he probably wasn’t the best person to lead the party into the next election. Many Labour MPs were quick to take to the airwaves to play the blame game – and in some cases position themselves for a bid for the top job.
Succession has been a main topic of conversation within the Labour party for some time now. In the days before the election, senior party figures were discussing how to replace Jeremy Corbyn should the party fail to win enough seats to form a government. Just as was the case in 2010 and 2017, ambitious candidates started to sound out colleagues and ready themselves to move quickly should the occasion call.
Now that situation has come to be – but it’s still not clear exactly when the leadership contest will commence. Corbyn has suggested he will stay on temporarily. Should he go sooner rather than later, John McDonnell could step in. Under a plan discussed by union officials, the shadow chancellor would be appointed interim leader, allowing for a leadership contest in 2020.
Not all the party’s MPs would be thrilled at the prospect of continuity Corbynism in the guise of McDonnell at the helm indefinitely. But, thanks to a change in the rules in the autumn, it is up to the national executive committee to appoint any interim leader — and that committee is firmly weighted in favour of Corbynism. Since Tom Watson bowed out at this election, there is no deputy leader to step in.
There are two reasons why delaying a leadership contest until autumn next year is thought to be in the interests of the Corbyn wing.
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