In protest of the leadership style of British Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn today seven prominent members have resigned from the party. Above all, they criticize the Brexit course and the handling of anti-Semitic tendencies in the largest opposition party. The spin-off is considered a symptom of a major crisis in the British party system.
The Social Democrats should be particularly hard hit by the resignation of charismatic MP Chuka Umunna. He is considered a young star of his party and leads a group calling for a second Brexit referendum. The seven politicians will in future be represented as an „independent group“ in parliament, as MEP Luciana Berger announced in London at a press conference.
The seven MPs also criticize the party. Mike Gapes, for example, said he was „angry“ that the Labor party was „complicit“ in Brexit. Leslie accused the opposition party of a „betrayal of Europe“. Party leader Corbyn was „disappointed“ by the MEPs‘ decision and called for cohesion, which is more important today than ever. Berger even accused the party of being „institutionally anti-Semitic“.
„Hard“ Brexit threatens
For some time it has been feared that the party might break apart. The opinions about Corbyn, who is voting on new elections, are very different. Many accuse the Alt-Left to have taken no clear position in the dispute over the EU exit for too long. He is accused of lack of enthusiasm for the EU.
Recently, Corbyn promised Prime Minister Theresa May of support for his party if it accepted a customs union and a link to the EU single market at Brexit. May rejected that strictly. Britain wants to leave the European Union in less than six weeks – on March 29th.
In addition, charges of anti-Semitism against Corbyn and his party have been charged for years. Last summer, he publicly admitted in a video that disciplinary proceedings against anti-Semitic party members had been conducted too slowly and timidly. Critics accuse the 69-year-old a one-sided support of the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict.
Hunt calls for EU engagement
Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt called for the EU to be accommodated in the Brexit talks with Britain. „We have to get this done. The relationship between the UK and its European neighbors is at stake for the next 25 years, „Hunt said today.
Hunt did not name any details. But he said, „There is a way through with vision on both sides.“ It also needs trust. The British government is particularly concerned with the permanent back-up solution for an open border with Ireland, which binds Britain for an indefinite period to a customs union with the EU and leaves little scope for its own trade relations.
Chief negotiators meet in Brussels
After the recent vote defeat for May in the British House of Commons meet again today, the Brexit chief negotiators of the EU and Britain. EU negotiator Michel Barnier meets Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay in Brussels.
At the new meeting, according to May’s office, they want to talk about proposals for a new „working group“ of British MPs on alternatives to the controversial „backstop“. It is a thorn in the side of Brexit hardliners because they fear that Britain would remain bound to the EU for an indefinite period of time. In order to reach their agreement to the withdrawal agreement yet, May seeks changes in the „backstop“. May is due to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on Wednesday.
