Jeremy Corbyn: New Labour leader aiming to appoint cabinet as early as 14 September
Corbyn pulled out of the Andrew Marr Show to ensure he can focus fully on putting a frontbench team together to 'bring this government down'
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.Jeremy Corbyn is aiming to appoint his shadow cabinet as early as 14 September, his team have said.
The new Labour leader has pulled out of BBC’s flagship current affairs programme – the Andrew Marr Show – to ensure he can focus fully on putting a frontbench team together to "bring this government down,” John McDonnell, his campaign agent and fellow Labour MP said.
He faces a tough task to persuade a significant number of current shadow ministers to stay, however, and already eight frontbench figures have resigned, including Yvette Cooper, Rachel Reeves and Tristram Hunt.
There are some who are prepared to stay, including shadow Leader of the House, Angela Eagle, who has been tipped for shadow chancellor.
Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary and leadership rival Andy Burnham could be persuaded to serve under Mr Corbyn, but will need persuading.
Only around 20 MPs are believed to have voted for Mr Corbyn in the leadership election, despite a further 15 MPs handing him their nomination so he could enter the contest.
A handful of senior positions in the shadow cabinet will be reserved for those closest to Mr Corbyn, such as Mr McDonnell, who has been tipped for the position of shadow chancellor or shadow business secretary.
Diane Abbott, another close ally, is almost certain to be handed a senior role. New MPs such as Clive Lewis, Richard Burgon and Cat Smith and Catherine West could be given shadow ministerial roles, but speaking to The Independent, Mr Lewis said inexperienced MPs like him should make way for more senior figures.
He also wants to ensure that Mr Corbyn is able to reach out to all parts of the parliamentary party and would rather sacrifice himself than be part of an exclusively left-wing team.
“I can’t believe it, I’m shocked,” Mr Lewis said, speaking minutes after Mr Corbyn had won. But asked whether he would accept a shadow cabinet position, he said: “I don’t want to do that at this moment – I think we need the ability and experience and he [Corbyn] has to reach out, it must be from all parts of the party. But it’s five years, it’s a long time.”
Cat Smith, another MP elected in May 2015, described Mr Corbyn’s victory as “phenomenal” and said his “watch word of unity is going to bring the party together”.
She made it clear she would accept a role in his frontbench: “I’d like to do whatever I can to serve my party,” she said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments