Finally, the Labour Party's mess has come to the fore.
A secret report commissioned by Labour to explain its General Election drubbing has revealed the basic problems the party has faced.
The unpublished report suggests that Labour is moving in the wrong direction under Jeremy Corbyn.
According to The Telegraph, the report called “Emerging from the Darkness” gives a full picture of Labour Party's poor show in the elections. The report was commissioned by Labour, details of which were leaked to the media over recent weeks.
The report warns that “Labour negatives are deep and powerful”.
The report, obtained by ITV's Robert Peston, says crucial swing voters see the party as “nice” but “in thrall to the undeserving” and “in denial” about its “appalling” track record on the economy”.
To rebuild Labour's reputation, it would need to “atone for its past”, the report says, “redefine and revitalise its brand”, “be for middle class voters, not just down and outs”, “above all, be competent, especially on the economy” and “show it takes Scotland seriously”.
It recommends commissioning an independent review of the party's economic performance in government, “ideally headed by a Tory”.
'Coup Against the Leader'
Meanwhile, a Labour MP told The Times that Michael Dugher could launch a leadership coup after the May local elections. “Dugher could go for a shot after May on a suicide bomb mission. It might raise his profile, if he spins it as doing something honourable for the sake of the party. He might win a senior job out of it,” the MP said.
Michael Dugher was sacked as shadow culture secretary in Corbyn's reshuffle and has been a vocal critic of the party leader.
However, friends of Dugher have said that he will not accept a “suicide bomb mission” to challenge Corbyn for the leadership in May, The Times reported.
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics, Dugher, said the Labour leader “faces a big test” in the May elections. Dugher said Corbyn had to be given a chance because of his “huge mandate from party members”, but said he had to show he could convert this into support from the public, including Conservative voters.
Corbyn Counters
Corbyn, however, remains cool and optimistic. Corbyn told ITV's This Morning: “I'm doing my best to campaign for Labour to win the General Election in 2020 on a policy of investing in housing, education, health. Party members are very happy. I have some of the most fascinating debates you've ever heard in your life with some of my colleagues in Parliament but we're getting on fine. Listen we defeated the Government on tax credits, we defeated them on police cuts, we defeated on that appalling idea of running Saudi Arabia's prisons on behalf of their royal family. We are making progress as a party, don't worry about that. Everybody is getting along just fine.”
Greater Control of Party Structures
The Times reported that Corbyn is expected to bolster his position as Labour's ruling body considers taking greater control over party appointments and policy making.
Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) is due to vote on new terms of reference that could include authority over party jobs and policy.
This development, however, hasn't gone down well with everyone.
“A new NEC staffing committee to directly recruit members of staff would make staff recruitment political and divisive, putting our wish to be a great employer at risk,” Bex Bailey, a moderate youth representative, wrote on her website last week.
