The Labour Party, one of the UK’s two major political entities, has experienced profound ideological and leadership upheavals in recent years. Central to these upheavals is the dramatic shift in leadership from a more radical Jeremy Corbyn to an establishment stooge in Keir Starmer following Labour’s catastrophic defeat in the 2019 General Election. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Starmer and other frontbenchers received rewards for their roles in undermining Corbyn’s leadership and enabling Labour’s electoral downfall. This article investigates these claims, scrutinising the behaviour of Starmer and others during Corbyn’s tenure and exploring whether internal sabotage played a significant role in Labour’s defeat.

Let us begin by setting a context:

Background: Jeremy Corbyn’s Leadership and Internal Party Dynamics

Jeremy Corbyn’s ascension to Labour leadership in 2015 marked a radical shift to the left. A lifelong socialist and backbench MP, Corbyn was considered an outsider by many in his party. His leadership was characterised by a commitment to anti-austerity policies, public ownership of utilities, and a foreign policy sceptical of military intervention. While his policies were popular among Labour’s grassroots and brought an influx of new members, they were divisive among the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).

Corbyn’s Internal Opposition: From Day One

From the outset, Corbyn faced intense opposition from many Labour MPs who viewed his leadership as a threat to the party’s electoral viability. The rift was evident during the 2016 EU Referendum, where accusations were made that Corbyn’s campaign to remain in the EU was lacklustre, a sentiment that was later used to justify a leadership challenge against him. Despite winning the subsequent leadership election with an increased mandate, the divide between Corbyn’s supporters and detractors within the party persisted.

The Role of Keir Starmer as Shadow Brexit Secretary

Keir Starmer was appointed as Shadow Brexit Secretary in October 2016, a role that placed him at the forefront of Labour’s approach to Brexit, one of the most contentious issues in British politics at the time. Starmer’s push for a second referendum was seen by many as a deliberate move to distance the party from its traditional working-class base, particularly in Leave-voting constituencies.

Starmer’s Contradictory Positioning

Starmer’s advocacy for a “People’s Vote” put him in direct opposition to Corbyn’s more ambiguous Brexit stance, which aimed to balance the party’s Leave and Remain supporters. Critics argue that Starmer’s insistence on a second referendum was not only a strategic blunder but also a calculated effort to weaken Corbyn’s position.

“Starmer’s Brexit strategy alienated many Labour voters in the North and Midlands, who saw the push for a second referendum as a betrayal of the 2016 vote. It was a gift to the Conservatives, who capitalised on Labour’s perceived indecision.” – The Guardian, 2019.

The 2019 manifesto’s convoluted Brexit position—negotiating a new deal and then holding a second referendum with the option to Remain—was largely seen as the result of internal compromise, with Starmer’s faction pushing for a clearer Remain stance. This approach ultimately backfired, as it failed to satisfy either Leave or Remain voters and contributed significantly to Labour’s electoral collapse.

Other Prominent Figures and Their Roles in Undermining Corbyn

Tom Watson: A Persistent Critic

Who is Funding Tom Watson?

Tom Watson, who served as Labour’s Deputy Leader until 2019, was one of Corbyn’s most prominent internal critics. Watson frequently challenged Corbyn’s leadership, particularly over issues such as Brexit and the party’s handling of anti-Semitism allegations. In 2019, Watson publicly backed a second referendum, a stance that was at odds with many in the party and the leadership’s attempts to present a more nuanced position.

“Watson’s repeated public criticism of Corbyn wasn’t just dissent—it was a deliberate attempt to destabilise the leadership. His calls for a second referendum were more about positioning himself as a champion of the anti-Corbyn wing than about genuine political strategy.” – The Independent, 2019.

Watson’s departure from Parliament in 2019, just before the general election, was seen by some as a tacit admission that he had achieved his goal of weakening Corbyn’s leadership beyond repair.

Ian Austin and Other ‘Labour’ Peers

Another notable incident of undermining was the intervention by Ian Austin, a former Labour MP who urged voters to support Boris Johnson over Corbyn, branding the Labour leader unfit for office. Such interventions by ex-Labour figures were seized upon by the media and the Conservative Party as evidence of Corbyn’s supposed extremism and unpopularity within his own ranks.

Who funds Ian Austin?

“Austin’s intervention was a devastating blow to Labour’s campaign. For a former Labour MP to back the Tories so publicly was unprecedented and painted a picture of a party deeply divided against itself.” – The Times, 2019.

The Anti-Semitism Controversy: Weaponised Allegations?

Allegations of anti-Semitism within the Labour Party dominated headlines during Corbyn’s leadership, with critics accusing him of failing to tackle the issue effectively. While the issue was real and needed addressing, some argue that it was cynically exploited by Corbyn’s internal opponents as a means to discredit his leadership.

The EHRC Report and Its Fallout

Revealed:

Leaked Labour report (part 6): How the ‘snides’ got their positions in the party

In October 2020, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published a report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, which found the party responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination. The report’s findings were widely seen as a vindication of those who had criticised Corbyn’s leadership. However, leaked documents suggested that some staffers opposed to Corbyn had deliberately obstructed investigations into anti-Semitism to damage his leadership.

“The EHRC report was a severe blow to Labour’s credibility. However, the subsequent leaks indicated that some within the party were more interested in using anti-Semitism as a political weapon against Corbyn than in genuinely addressing the issue.” – The Guardian, 2020.

The Alleged Rewards for ‘Backstabbing’ Corbyn

Starmer’s Leadership Victory: A Reward for Compliance?

Keir Starmer’s ascension to leadership in April 2020, following Corbyn’s resignation, was seen by many as a victory for the party’s centrist wing. Despite his prominent role in pushing for a second referendum—a strategy many blame for Labour’s 2019 losses—Starmer won the leadership contest decisively. His victory has been interpreted by some as a reward for his role in weakening Corbyn’s leadership and steering the party towards a more centrist, “electable” position.

“Starmer’s election as leader marked a decisive break from the Corbyn era. It was the culmination of years of internal struggle, with Starmer positioning himself as the anti-Corbyn candidate who could ‘restore’ Labour to respectability.” – New Statesman, 2020.

Promotions for Other Corbyn Critics

Under Starmer’s leadership, several MPs who were vocal critics of Corbyn have been promoted to prominent positions. Lisa Nandy, who was critical of Corbyn’s handling of Brexit, was appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary. Other appointments, such as Rachel Reeves as Shadow Chancellor, signalled a clear shift away from Corbyn’s socialist platform.

“The composition of Starmer’s shadow cabinet reflects a clear preference for those who were critical of Corbyn’s leadership. It’s a clear case of rewarding loyalty to the new leader and sidelining those associated with the previous administration.” – LabourList, 2020.

Media Support and the ‘Establishment’ Blessing

Starmer’s leadership has also received markedly different treatment from the media compared to Corbyn’s. Many mainstream outlets that were relentlessly hostile towards Corbyn have adopted a more favourable tone towards Starmer, suggesting a tacit endorsement from the media establishment.

“The contrast in media treatment between Corbyn and Starmer is stark. Where Corbyn was depicted as a threat to national security, Starmer is portrayed as a responsible, moderate leader. This difference can be seen as a form of ‘reward’ for those who opposed Corbyn’s leadership.” – MediaLens, 2021.

The Impact on Labour Party Unity and Future Prospects

The perception that Starmer and his allies were rewarded for undermining Corbyn has deepened divisions within the party. Many Corbyn supporters feel alienated by the current leadership, believing that the party has abandoned the transformative policies that inspired them to join in the first place.

A Decline in Membership and Enthusiasm

Since Starmer took over, Labour’s membership has reportedly declined by over 100,000. This exodus is largely attributed to disillusionment among members who supported Corbyn’s vision and feel betrayed by the party’s shift to the right.

“The exodus of members since Starmer became leader is a clear indication that many feel the party no longer represents their values. The perception that Starmer and his allies were rewarded for betraying Corbyn has only deepened this disillusionment.” – The Morning Star, 2021.

Electoral Prospects Under Starmer

While Starmer has sought to rebrand Labour as a more ‘respectable’ and ‘moderate’ party, this strategy has yet to translate into significant electoral gains. Labour’s performance in the 2021 local elections and the Hartlepool by-election was disappointing, raising questions about whether the party can win back the so-called “Red Wall” seats lost in 2019.

“Starmer’s cautious approach may appeal to some, but it lacks the boldness that many believe is needed to win back the working-class voters who deserted Labour in 2019. Without a clear vision, the party risks becoming irrelevant.” – The Economist, 2021.

Conclusion

The allegations that Keir Starmer and other Labour frontbenchers were rewarded for their roles in undermining Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership are part of a broader narrative of factionalism and internal sabotage within the Labour Party. While direct evidence of such rewards is difficult to substantiate, the perception of a ‘reward system’ has fuelled ongoing tensions within the party.

Labour now faces a critical juncture. To rebuild and present itself as a viable alternative to the Conservative government, it must address these internal divisions and restore trust among its members and supporters. Whether Starmer can bridge these divides and create a cohesive, electable party remains very unlikely. He is a stooge as are those he has surrounded himself with. The gifts that he and those complaint to the establishment are receiving are to many obviously rewards for destroying any chance the UK had of being a fairer more equitable nation. What is clear, sadly, is that the legacy of the Corbyn era could have been something tens of millions were now celebrating. Instead the country is terminally sick and that is only going to get worse.

References

  1. The Guardian. “Internal Labour Party report accuses senior staff of trying to undermine Corbyn.” Link.
  2. The Independent. “Tom Watson’s betrayal of Jeremy Corbyn.” Link.
  3. New Statesman. “How Keir Starmer won the Labour leadership.” Link.
  4. LabourList. “How Starmer has rewarded loyalty in his shadow cabinet.” Link.
  5. Al Jazeera. “The Labour Files: The Purge.” Link.
  6. The Times. “Ian Austin urges voters to back Boris Johnson over Jeremy Corbyn.” Link.
  7. The Morning Star. “Labour membership plummets under Starmer’s leadership.” Link.
  8. The Economist. “Labour’s existential crisis: Can Starmer win back the Red Wall?” Link.
To report this post you need to login first.
Previous articleSavile and Al Fayed Operated In Plain Sight. Yet They Were Protected Until Death. Why?
Next articleHello, I Am A Bat
Douglas James
Douglas James

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR