Tom Watson expected to be ousted later (update: Corbyn bottles it)
 

Labour's Tom Watson is facing a fresh bid to oust him as deputy leader by abolishing his post.

An initial move was made at the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Friday but it failed to get the two-thirds majority needed.

A further attempt is set to be made on Saturday at the party's conference.

It is understood the motion was tabled by Jon Lansman, founder of Labour grassroots group Momentum.

The campaign group was set up to support Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party.

Mr Watson has been at odds with Mr Corbyn over Labour's stance on Brexit.

He wants another public vote on the UK's membership of the EU before any general election, but Mr Corbyn has said an election should come first.

The party leader has refused to say which side he might back in a future Brexit referendum under a Labour government.

A Momentum source told the BBC: "We just can't afford to go into an election with a deputy leader set on wrecking Labour's chances.

"Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen."

Under Labour Party rules, any candidate to challenge the deputy leader must be backed by 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs.

Potential challengers may seek nominations to trigger a deputy leadership election each year prior to the annual party conference.

But nominations which do not gain the 20% threshold will not be taken forward.

The NEC, Labour's governing body, will vote again on abolishing Mr Watson's post at the party's annual conference at 10:00 BST on Saturday.

Sources told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg they expected the vote to be passed.

There will then be a vote on the conference floor in the afternoon, where the bid could be approved, ousting Mr Watson.

BBC political reporter Jessica Parker said Mr Watson's supporters were "not overly optimistic" that he will win Saturday's vote.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49776100

Yes he is not united with the leader

So much the same as Boris sending MPs to the back benches? ..another dictator?

I wouldn't have wanted to want to support this move.

However I have to say.
Is a Deputy Leader needed.
The Conservatives don't have any recognised official one.
I'd support it to dispense with the deputy leader post completely for good.

Tom Watson would remain an MP if he was ousted.
He would not have the party whip removed from him, as in the Con party to their 21 ostracised MPs.

Furthermore, what has irritated me with Tom Watson, has been his silence most of the time.
Then when Corbyn and the Shadow Cabinet throw a plan out say re brexit.

He then pipes up with a totally opposite view.

I, reading back, don't think I've come across a deputy leader so at odds with a leader and Cabinet.

Michael Foot was a near loyal deputy to Callaghan.
Denis Healey was a loyal deputy to Michael Foot, even through the Labour split in the 80s and the disastrous 1983 election.

Watson has never really shown much as to loyalty on policy which makes one wonder why he accepted the post under Corbyn.

No way has he a hope of winning a leadership election after his performance as deputy.

Callaghan, Foot and Healey were from the widest parts of the Party.
Michael Foot derided for his policies.
Yet leader and deputy worked well at the time.

I've been more surprised that Watson hasn't resigned really.
There seems little he comes out to support from Corbyn.
Which leaves him a little hypocritical wanting to serve the Party as Corbyn's deputy really.
In my view anyway.

If you can't beat 'em, make their position redundant.

Ah it's been withdrawn.

Another power grab by momentum.

I have two opposing views on this lol
The set up of having a deputy leader elected independently of a leader is asking for trouble bc you may end up with disunited leadership
So either have both elected on the same ticket or abolish the post.

But in this specific case I'd hate Watson to go bc he's more centrist and safeguards a broader church in the party

Yes Corbyn
stopped it.

Good, it's been withdrawn.

It wasn't a move I wanted to support.

Corbyn bottled it

You can Edit your Title now

Yes Sir

He is the only MP that many of us in Ireland respect,You might not agree with him but he is honest and stands by his word.Shame they want to get rid of him:puzzled::puzzled:

It had nothing to do with Corbyn :bored:

It may have a bit.
I don't think any leader has had such a deputy who publicly showed little to no support for the leader.

However Watson called for Corbyn to intervene to halt this.
Corbyn did.
With the result it is halted.

So had Corbyn done nothing he'd have sanctioned it, when he steps in to halt it.
He's still wrong.
Unbelievable.

I now say ' but' would Corbyn prefer a new or NO deputy, then I'd say, yes he'd prefer either of those options.