Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey since 1992, has said she wishes replace Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of Labour party. Mr Corbyn has struggled to regain control after a front bench rebellion and an overwhelming vote of no confidence following the EU referendum.
Labour MPs voted 172 to 40 in a no confidence motion which thrust the government’s opposition into disarray.
Despite repeated calls for him to resign, Jeremy Corbyn has remained steadfast in his position and says he has no intention to step down, saying such an act would be ‘undemocratic’ due the large numbers of the Labour party who voted for him to be the replacement of Ed Milliband.
So as Corbyn’s continued stubbornness prolongs and deepens turmoil in the Labour party, Angela Eagle has emerged as a potential alternative leader.
Eagle has said she wishes to take control of Labour and ‘unite’ the party in the hope that the opposition can mount a competitive campaign in the next general election.
When asked by Robert Peston if she intended to act as a form of caretaker leader until a more appropriate candidate is found, or if she wished to lead the party in the next election, she indicated that she didn’t wish to be an interim leader to fill the void but to push to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
To be successful in her leadership bid, Eagle will have to appeal to the wider Labour party, of which many its members are still strong supporters of Corbyn. Corbyn has used this support as reason not to stand down and says it gives him the legitimacy to put himself forward for the next leadership contest.
Many Labour MPs disagree, including deputy leader, Tom Watson, who has made numerous appeals to Mr Corbyn to stand aside and allow the party to begin its healing process.