Deputy leader owes his skin to Labour leader’s focus on general-election readiness
Jeremy Corbyn has saved Tom Watson’s skin as deputy leader to avoid disruption to the party’s focus on winning the coming general election.
NEC sources have told the SKWAWKBOX that the motion to abolish the deputy leader position will be set aside or amended – as one put it:
Watson’s red card has been downgraded to a yellow for now because Jeremy wants all minds 100% on winning the general election. Jeremy is acting as peacemaker because he knows a Labour government has to come before anything.
It’s a blow, but we need everyone talking about Labour’s policies, not about Watson. Let’s be clear, Watson is unfit to be deputy leader, but tabling this on the eve of conference was a problem.
Jon Lansman, who proposed the motion yesterday, has supported the decision:
There is a lot of anger on social media about Watson’s escape, but some Labour activists responded positively:
The withdrawal of support by some right-wing unions meant that the motion’s success was looking far less likely if voted on today.
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