It is said a week is a long time in politics and what a week its has been. This time last week we reported on the sudden withdrawal of Angela Eagle from the leadership race. This left only Owen Smith left to face Jeremy Corbyn. However this weekend saw something extraordinary take place.
On Saturday, the MP for Feltham and Heston, Seema Malhotra, accused staff working for Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell of breaking into her parliamentary office without authorisation. She said “this is a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege, I understand that the Corbyn aide has been in my office at least twice in recent weeks, when I have not been there, and was aggressive and intimidating.” She has made a formal complaint to the speaker John Bercow and Jeremy Crobyn and demanded the indecent be investigated.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday John McDonnell described the incident as an honest mistake. “officegate" as its been dubbed is the most serious revelation since the mass resignation of the shadow cabinet last month. Speaking during the show John McDonnell appealed to members and supporters not to split the party from within.
In a major development, a case brought before the high court by the Labour donor Michael Foster where he argued that Jeremy Corbyn should not be allowed to contest the leadership without getting nominations from MPs and MEPs. Michael Foster said in court that the Labour party’s rules were “misapplied” when its national executive committee (NEC) voted to guarantee Corbyn a place on the leadership ballot. The case against the party’s general secretary, Iain McNicol - who is being sued in a representative capacity - and Corbyn, Foster was not seeking anything other than a proper application of the rules.
It is said the NEC took legal advice before voting by a majority of 18 to 14 that Corbyn should automatically go on the ballot paper without needing to obtain the backing of 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs - 51 nominations. If the case is successful the leadership contest would have to start from scratch. Ballot papers for the leadership vote will start to be sent out on August 22 with the result announced at a special conference in Liverpool on September 24.
During this saga the latest opinion poll shows the Conservatives with a 16 point lead over Labour at 43% verses 27%.