Labour's left wing has called for Jeremy Corbyn to be swiftly reinstated after his suspension on Thursday over comments about antisemitism. A group representing more than 30 MPs declared it would “work tirelessly” in support of the former leader until his case is resolved.
Corbyn convened a call with leaders from Unite and the Communication Workers Union, as well as supportive MPs, the party pressure group Momentum and other left affiliates. The group was divided over whether Corbyn’s suspension was premeditated but agreed to mobilise party members in support of him while also seeking conciliation with the party and its leader, Keir Starmer.
Momentum said it would “not take attacks on the left lying down” as it sought to rally Corbyn supporters. The Socialist Campaign Group, comprising 33 Labour MPs, released a statement saying it “firmly opposed” Corbyn’s suspension. John McDonnell urged “all party members to stay calm” and called for a resolution in the interests of party unity.
Unite leader Len McCluskey called the suspension “an act of grave injustice” that would “create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour’s chances of a general election victory.” Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union said Starmer’s decision “flies in the face of the report.”
Momentum co-chairs Andrew Scattergood and Gaya Sriskanthan described the suspension as “a massive attack on the left by the new leadership” and called for it to be immediately lifted. They said there had been “an explosive response” to their email, with one member writing back that the suspension had “shook me to the core.”
