Labour leadership crisis deepens as Tom Watson calls off talks with unions over Jeremy Corbyn's future

Corbyn: A leadership challenge looks likely
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Mark Chandler9 July 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Tom Watson has called off talks with unions over Jeremy Corbyn's future because of the Labour leader's refusal to stand down.

Mr Watson said Mr Corbyn's declaration that he would continue "come what may" meant "there is no realistic prospect of reaching a compromise" over his future.

He said: "It is with regret and profound sadness that I have concluded there is little to be achieved by pursuing wider conversations with our union affiliates at this time.

"The Labour Party was founded with the explicit aim of pursuing the parliamentary path to socialism. Every Labour leader needs to command the support of their MPs in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), as well as party members, in order to achieve that.

"It is clear to all that Jeremy has lost the support of the PLP, with little prospect of regaining it."

A crisis meeting had been expected to take place in Brighton on Sunday before the giant unions' conference in a final effort to break the deadlock over Mr Corbyn's future.

Mr Watson's statement means it is now more likely that Mr Corbyn will face a leadership contest, with Angela Eagle thought to be the most likely potential challenger.

The deputy leader said: "At the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Monday I gave a commitment to hold talks with union representatives to find a way forward for our party.

"Since then I have met with Unite general secretary Len McCluskey along with John Cryer, the chair of the PLP, and chief whip Rosie Winterton.

"I felt we made significant progress during those talks, which were designed to find a solution to the impasse the party finds itself in. It is my strong belief that those discussions could have formed a basis for further talks with union representatives.

"However, since the talks began Jeremy has publicly declared his intention to continue as leader come what may. This means there is no realistic prospect of reaching a compromise that satisfies the majority of colleagues in the PLP."

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