Katy Balls Katy Balls

Watson-mania hits Labour conference

This year’s Labour conference is proving to be a rather sedated affair after a difficult few days for Jeremy Corbyn. Rather than Corbyn-mania taking hold of attendees, attendees report of a flat atmosphere following the high drama of John Lansman’s botched attempt to oust Tom Watson as deputy leader. After the first vote failed on Friday night, Jeremy Corbyn intervened to stop plans for a second vote. However, that hasn’t stopped internal rows – with infighting becoming the main story of conference so far and rumours growing over Corbyn’s exit.

There is one politician, however, who is clearly enjoying conference and that’s Watson. Watson allies are delighted with how this whole affair has turned out. ‘They are the ones who are crumbling,’ says a Labour figure of the Corbynistas. ‘They can’t come at him again for a while’.

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