SW London MPs called for the furore over their party’s ministerial reshuffle to end, with fomer shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna leading the pack.
He hit out at Jeremy Corbyn, saying: “If getting rid of the Tories and electing a Labour government to implement Labour values is your thing, Michael Dugher is your man. A big loss.”
He added that he was sad to see ‘huge talent’ Jonathan Reynolds, the Shadow Railway Minister who resigned in wake of the cuts, leave the frontbench.
Kevan Jones and Stephen Doughty also quit in protest to the sackings of shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden and shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher, who was replaced by demoted ex-shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle.
However his remarks prompted a backlash from social media as critics chastised him for giving up his Labour party leadership bid earlier last year.
Mr Umunna then proceeded to take the opportunity to criticize the Prime Minister, stating: “No coincidence the PM lets it be known ministers can campaign for out in the midst of a Labour reshuffle – a display of weakness unchecked.”
Mr Umunna quit the shadow cabinet last September because of concerns about Mr Corbyn’s EU stance.
Croydon North MP Steve Reed, who survived the axings and kept his post as shadow minister for local government, said: “Right, enough of this reshuffle stuff.”
Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary who disagrees with Mr Corbyn on central issues like the Syria bombings, also kept his job.
Even Conservative MP Gavin Barwell for Croydon Central had something to say about the moves, quipping: “Michael Dugher strikes me as one of the last people you’d sack from the Labour frontbench –authentic, a good communicator and well-liked.”
He indicated that the shadow Europe minister, Pat McFadden, was let go for simply concluding that terrorists are responsible for their own actions.
The MPs were quick to complain about the lengthy process, which kept them at work for around 21 hours.
James Berry, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, groaned: “First 2am finish of the season…”
Picture courtesy of Davide Simonetti, with thanks
