TONY Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell has said he does not want to be a member of Labour while Jeremy Corbyn is in charge.
Campbell was expelled by the party in May after he admitted voting Liberal Democrat in the European elections as a protest.
The controversial former communications director had planned to appeal against the decision. But in an open letter to Corbyn, Campbell said he had changed his mind.
He wrote: “With some sadness but absolute certainty, I have reached the conclusion that I no longer wish to stay in the party, even if I should be successful in my appeal or legal challenge.
“The culture you have helped to create has made the party one that I feel no longer truly represents my values, or the hopes I have for Britain.”
Campbell said he does not blame Corbyn for Brexit, something he ascribed to the Tories, but he said the Labour leader does not understand the gravity of the UK’s situation.
“I see no sign that you and your office have grasped the seriousness of what is happening, let alone devised or begun to execute a strategy to respond and defeat it,” Campbell wrote.
Last week, Corbyn, above, said Labour will “campaign to Remain” if Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts an unsatisfactory Brexit deal back to the public in a second referendum.
“Labour will oppose any deal that fails to protect jobs, workers’ rights or environmental protections. If you have the confidence to put that decision back to the people, we would, in those circumstances, campaign to Remain,” he said.
On Sunday, speaking to Sky News, he clarified that Labour’s policy was still to leave the EU, but with a Labour Brexit agreement.
“We’ve got to get into office first to negotiate a deal and win an election first,” he said. “If we win an election then we’ll reopen those talks with the EU.
“But at the moment the danger is a no deal exit on October 31 with all the problems that that brings.”
Asked by host Sophy Ridge if he wanted to “stay in the EU or leave?”, Corbyn replied: “Investment, jobs, trade and equality, both in or out of the EU. I want those things.”
Campbell, a People’s Vote campaigner, said Corbyn’s failure to provide consistent leadership on Brexit since the referendum campaign three years ago “has been a huge disappointment”.
Last week, Blair refused to say if he would vote for Labour at the next General Election.
Pressed three times on the matter on BBC2’s Newsnight, the closest he came was to say that he “wants” to vote Labour.
Meanwhile, Corbyn criticised Richard Branson yesterday after the billionaire said “stuff” doesn’t make him happy.
In a tweet, the Virgin tycoon, who owns a 74-acre private island near Puerto Rico, wrote: “I truly believe that ‘stuff’ really does not bring happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matter.”
Corbyn wrote simply: “Perhaps our NHS could have the money back from when you sued it?”
Virgin Care won £2 million in settlements from the taxpayer after taking legal action after it lost out on an £82m contract in 2016.
Over the last five years, Virgin has won almost £2bn of contracts with NHS England.
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