Britain's main opposition Labour faces a leadership battle after a challenger to Jeremy Corbyn finally stepped forward Saturday following a Brexit vote which pitched politics into turmoil and the economy into uncertainty. Lawmaker Angela Eagle is to stand against veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn, the embattled head of the left-of-centre party, who has faced criticism for his lukewarm campaigning in favour of staying in the EU.
Eagle announced her bid following the collapse of talks aimed at resolving a deep rift in the party over Corbyn's future which some commentators have suggested could prompt it to split. "On Monday morning I will announce my candidature for leader of the Labour Party," she said. Corbyn, who has lost the support of at least three-quarters of his lawmakers, had "failed to fulfil his first and foremost duty, that is to lead an organised and effective Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP)", added Eagle.
The left-wing leader, who has strong support from grassroots Labour members, has vowed to fight on, insisting there was "no pressure on me". Eagle, 55, was the shadow first secretary of state - implying seniority over other front-bench spokespersons - before she and a host of others quit the so-called shadow cabinet en masse last month. If she wins the contest, Eagle would be the first openly gay leader of a major political party at Westminster.
Labour members of parliament staged a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on June 28, in which 17 percent backed him and 75 percent voted against him. While the EU referendum raised fresh doubts, many centrist MPs had long been opposed to his leadership. Despite this, Corbyn has vowed to battle on as leader, citing a groundswell of support in the party membership. "He will remain leader of the Labour Party and will contest any leadership challenge if one is mounted," his spokesman insisted. Corbyn himself told the Durham Miners' Gala, a key date in the diary of Britain's labour movement, that there was "no pressure on me, none whatsoever".
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