Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ed Miliband calls for Jeremy Corbyn to resign

The former Labour leader said Mr Corbyn's position was 'untenable'

Jon Stone
Wednesday 29 June 2016 13:51 BST
Comments
Ed Miliband: Jeremy Corbyn's position has become untenable

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has called for Jeremy Corbyn to resign from his post.

Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that though he had supported Mr Corbyn, he had "reluctantly reached the conclusion his position is untenable".

He said that he and others who wanted Mr Corbyn replaced were not "Blairites" but that they believed Labour needed to think about the country at a time of crisis.

"I’ve supported Jeremy Corbyn all the way along from the moment he was elected because I thought it was absolutely the right thing to do," he told the programme.

"I think we a lot of what he stands for is very important for us going forward but I have reluctant reached the conclusion that his position is untenable – because you are the leader of the Labour party in Parliament and in the country and it’s really important to understand that.

"I’m not a Blairite, at least I’ve never been called a Blairite, I’m not a plotter, I’m somebody who cares deeply about this country, deeply about my party, and deeply about the causes that I think Jeremy and I care about.

"I think the best thing on all of those criteria is that he stands down, painful though that will be for him and his supporters."

He added that a "peaceful" transition to another leader would allow some of Mr Corbyn's work and that of the shadow chancellor John McDonnell to continue.

Mr Miliband has remained on the backbenches since he stepped down as leader after the 2015 general election, declining to serve in Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet.

He has however not before publicly criticised his successor.

Mr Miliband himself faced plots to oust him by the right wing of the Labour party during his time in office. He however saw off the threat of a coup.

Mr Corbyn has been hit by dozens of resignations from his shadow cabinet since the weekend, with his own MPs calling for him to quit. He still have substantial support amongst members of the party, who elected him by a landslide just in September however.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in