The MP for Salford and Eccles, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has been promoted to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasurey in Labour’s post-EU referendum cabinet shake-up.
Long-Bailey’s new job comes in the week following a huge split in the Labour party over leader Jeremy Corbyn’s EU Referendum campaign and fears he cannot take Labour forward.
The decision for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has cast doubt over the strengh of the pound, the NHS and employment rights.
With Shadow Cabinet members concerned about Corbyn’s ability, a motion of no confidence was issued.
Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer told SalfordOnline.com in the wake of the EU Referendum result that now would be a fantastically idiotic time for Corbyn’s detractors to try to topple him in a coup. But that, predictably, is exactly what happened.
In the past three days 15 members of the Shadow Cabinet either resigned or were sacked, beginning with Hilary Benn’s dismissal in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Those that followed were; Lord Falconer, Lucy Powell, Chris Bryant, Heidi Alexander, Vernon Coaker, Ian Murray, Kerry McCarthy, Seema Malhotra, Toby Perkins, Anna Turley, Diana Johnson, Lillian Greenwood, Gloria del Piero and Nia Griffiths.
Speaking on Labour Press, Corbyn said: “I regret there have been resignations from my shadow cabinet.
“But I am not going to betray the trust of those who voted for me – or the millions of supporters across the country who need Labour to represent them.
“Those who want to change Labour’s leadership will have to stand in a democratic election, in which I will be a candidate.”
Corbyn and Labour have been quick to react however, with Long-Bailey being just one of 10 new appointments. Emily Thornberry and Diane Abbott are the new Shadow foriegn and health secretaries respectively.
Other roles in the new-look Cabinet have been given to; Pat Glass, Andy McDonald, Clive Lewis, Kate Osamor, Rachell Maskell, Cat Smith and Dave Anderson.
Despite the turmoil that has engulfed Labour, and the prospect of an early General Election, this is proud time for an MP who only took over from Hazel Blears in 2015 and has moved swiftly upwards in her short Parliamentary career.
Rebecca Long-Bailey has yet to comment on the appointment or the future of Jeremy Corbyn.
